NEWS » king to the Chicago

Linda Zondi, CSAs convener of selectors, has suggested that South Africa should consider introducing pink-ball cricket at first-class level. This, he said, would help prepare players for the inevitable move towards more day-night Test cricket.From a selection point of view, it only makes common sense as we move on that guys need to familiarise themselves with the process, Zondi said. You cannot be in a position where at the international level, you play with a particular ball but then at franchise level, where you are selecting from, the guys are not.While Australia, India, England, Pakistan, Bangladesh and West Indies have all introduced some pink-ball matches into their domestic competitions, South Africas only first-class experience with it was four years ago in a match between franchise team Knights and provincial side North-West. The only member of the current South Africa squad who played in that match was Rilee Rossouw. Rossouw made 21 and 2 in the drawn game, during which issues were raised about the quality of the ball.The pink ball was used again during the group stages of the inaugural Africa T20 Cup in 2015 - a season-opening tournament played between the provincial semi-professional sides alongside a team each from Zimbabwe, Kenya and Namibia. After feedback from players, match officials and the host broadcaster, it was decided that white balls would be used for the knockout round. This years Africa T20 did not feature pink balls at all.South Africa have also not been tempted to experiment with it in a franchise match. It was only when they agreed to play a day-night Test on this Australia tour that their international players were exposed to the pink ball. South Africa A toured Australia in winter and sent opening batsmen Stephen Cook and Dean Elgar, middle-order man Temba Bavuma and opening bowler Vernon Philander to gain experience with the pink ball. Initially, Philander expressed concerns about the softness of the ball.He has since returned with the Test squad, who played in a pink-ball warm-up match in Adelaide before the series. There, Quinton de Kock downplayed the hype over the pink ball, saying he found it no different from any other colour ball because it was tricky to face upfront and then became easier.Kyle Abbott had similar views after the Hobart Test. It is not that much different to a red ball, or a white ball really for us. It is either going to swing or seam, he said. It all depends on the surface. It might nip. Under lights it did seem to nip a bit, but well just have to see when we get there because I think the conditions will be a little bit different.The Adelaide pitch is expected to have a fair amount of grass - a means of delaying the aging of the ball - which hints at an advantage for bowlers. South Africa, though, cant be too sure because their experience with the pink ball is limited to the matches they have played in Australia. Only Rossouw knows otherwise, although Zondi is hopeful that will change in future.The key is that within the franchise, within our structure, sooner or later it will be an idea to also make sure all those guys where we pick from are using the pink ball, Zondi said. Im not quite sure when it will happen because thats a different pipeline in terms of the guys who are dealing with it but we hope it will happen.While all major franchise grounds have the facilities for day-night first-class cricket, a potentially prohibitive cost will be that of turning the lights on. Electricity prices in South Africa have risen 10% in 2016 alone and most stadiums spend hundreds of thousands of Rands to use floodlights. The franchises and provinces are heavily funded by CSA so if domestic pink-ball cricket is to become a reality, the finances will need to be carefully assessed. Wholesale Giants Jerseys . LeBron James and Chris Bosh didnt need any more. Williams scored 11 points in 10 minutes, Alan Anderson scored 17 points, and the Brooklyn Nets finished the exhibition season with a 108-87 win over the Miami Heat on Friday night. San Francisco Giants Store . Following a lopsided 5-2 loss against the New Jersey Devils on Wednesday night, Paul MacLean told reporters that "theres a lack of focus, theres a lack of leadership and theres a lack of preparation" with his struggling team. That came on the heels of Bryan Murray taking the unusual step of going into the locker room at the Prudential Center and addressing the players himself. https://www.cheapjerseysgiants.us/ . With their top three point guards and Kobe Bryant all sidelined by injury, the Lakers signed Marshall out of the D-League on Friday before their home game against Minnesota. Custom San Francisco Giants Jerseys . Speaking to the Chicago Tribune at baseballs Winter Meetings in Lake Buena Vista, Florida, Boras called the former home of the Expos a "tremendous environment" for baseball. Giants Jerseys China . Once again, DeLaet finished tied for second at a PGA Tour stop on the weekend, this time at the Waste Management Phoenix Open. The pride of Weyburn, Sask. LOGAN, Utah -- Jalen Moore had 19 points, seven rebounds and five assists on Monday night and Utah State overcame a second-half deficit to beat NJIT 93-84 in the first game of the Cancun Challenge.Utah State (2-0) hosts Idaho State on Saturday in another tournament contest. Koby McEwen added 18 points, Sam Merrill scored 15, Ngor Barnaba 12 and Norbert Janicek 11.Shane Rectors 3-pointer with 8:28 left gave the Aggies the lead for good and it started an 11-3 run. The Highlandders (1-1) closed within 77-74 with 3:59 left, but Utah State answered with a 13-4 run to push its lead to 12 in the final minute.ddddddddddddDamon Lynn led NJIT with 34 points. He was 11 of 23 from field with 6 of 17 from beyond the arc. Tim Coleman added 16 points and Rob Ukawuba scored 12.NJIT outscored the Aggies 25-12 to start the second half. ' ' '