JOHN Hastings was not convinced by the pink ball after Worcestershire’s Specsavers County Championship Division Two match against Durham at Chester-le-Street ended in a rain-affected draw.

No play was possible over the last two-and-a-half days as Worcestershire were denied the chance to build on their 170-run first-innings advantage.

“It was unfortunate we didn’t get to see how the ball performed over 96 overs day in, day out,” said Worcestershire bowler Hastings.

“I’ve used a pink Kookaburra quite a bit back home in Australia, but I think the Dukes has a long way to go.

“It allowed the bowlers to dominate early on, but went soft around the 25-30 over mark.

“It’s a different game playing day-night cricket because the ball reacts differently under lights.”

Hastings, who played for Durham in 2014 and 2015, took three for 10 in eight overs in his opening spell as the hosts were reduced to 18-5 on the first morning, when he had Ben Stokes caught behind for a duck.

“That one bounced a bit more and nipped away slightly,” he said.

“Ben’s a good mate so it was nice to get him out.

“I don’t think the pink ball did anything exceptional - I’ve seen the red one do more at Riverside.

“On a fresh pitch here it’s hard as a batsman - you have to react to what the ball does off the pitch.”

Durham’s second innings never got under way after Worcestershire posted 367 in response to the home side’s 197.

Durham coach Jon Lewis said: “The ECB won’t have got the information they wanted out of this game.”