If you are googling Pink Ball Test right now, you are likely preparing for the showdown of the 2025/26 Ashes at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG). But before you place your wagers, we need to clear up the single most considerable confusion in cricket betting:
The Pink Test is not always a Pink Ball Test.
The upcoming New Year’s Test in Sydney is famously known as the Pink Test in support of the McGrath Foundation. The stadium turns pink, the stumps are pink, and the players wear pink caps. However, it is played with a RED BALL during the day.
The actual Day/Night “Pink Ball” Test of this series already happened in Brisbane (Dec 4-8), which Australia won.
That said, if you are looking to bet on the Sydney Pink Test (Jan 4-8, 2026), the strategies are entirely different from the Day/Night games. Here is your betting guide for the series finale, plus a cheat sheet on Pink Ball strategy for when the format returns.
The SCG Pink Test (Red Ball) Betting Guide
Since this is a traditional day match played with a red Kookaburra, forget the twilight swing theory. The SCG is a different beast entirely.
1. The Spin Narrative is Real
Sydney is traditionally the most spin-friendly wicket in Australia. By Day 4 and 5, this pitch breaks up.
- Betting Tip: Look at Top Team Bowler markets for spinners. If England plays a specialist spinner (or relies heavily on Joe Root’s off-spin), they often find value here compared to the seam-friendly venues like Perth.
- In-Play Strategy: If a team is batting last (4th innings) and chasing anything over 250, Lay the Batting Team. The SCG rough makes the 4th innings chases a nightmare.
2. The Dead Rubber Factor
Australia has already retained the Ashes (leading 3-1), but England is fresh off a morale-boosting win at the MCG.
- Psychology: Australia often takes the foot off the gas in dead rubbers, while the touring side (England) plays with “nothing to lose” freedom.
- Value Play: The markets often overvalue the home favourite. England at odds of 3.50+ (approx) might be worth a small punt purely on momentum, mainly if Australia rests key pacers like Cummins or Hazlewood.
3. The Draw Price
Sydney is notorious for rain interruptions during the New Year.
- Strategy: Check the long-range forecast. If there are thunderstorms predicted for Days 3-5, the Draw (often priced high around 6.0 or 7.0 before the toss) becomes a massive value trade. You back the draw pre-match and cash out when the rain covers come on.
Betting Strategy: The Actual Pink Ball (Day/Night) Format
If you are betting on a future Day/Night Test (or the upcoming Women’s D/N Test vs India in March), here is the “Golden Rulebook” you need to save.
1. The Twilight Zone is the Money Zone. In Red Ball cricket, the morning session is dangerous. In Pink Ball cricket, the Evening Session (Twilight) is where games are won and lost.
- The Physics: As the sun sets and the floodlights take over, the pink ball swings violently.
- The Bet: If a batting team is 2-down going into the twilight session, Bet UNDER on their Session Runs. It is common for teams to lose 3-4 wickets in clusters during this 90-minute window.
2. Pace Dominates Spin. Unlike the SCG, Pink Ball tests are rarely dominated by spinners. The extra lacquer on the pink ball keeps the seam hard, helping fast bowlers.
- The Bet: In Top Wicket Taker markets, ignore the spinners. Back the fast bowlers who pitch it up (swing bowlers), rather than “hit-the-deck” bowlers.
3. The New Ball Trap. The pink ball goes soft faster than the red ball.
- The Bet: If the ball is 50+ overs old, Back the Batsman. Runs flow easily in the middle overs when the ball stops swinging, and the pitch flattens out.