For the first time,a pink cricket ball was used in a match in England on Monday when an MCC XI defeated Scotland in a 50-over match at Lord's.

Batting first, Scotland scored 253-7 with captain Ryan Watson scoring 91, while MCC won by four wickets reaching 257-6 with eight balls to spare.

Should the trial be successful, the pink ball is likely to be used in Twenty20 games and one-day internationals in 2009.

The idea of shifting to a pink ball originated because the white balls tended to get discoloured soon and it became difficult for fielders and batsmen to view it.

The ICC introduced a rule last October making it mandatory to replace the white ball after 35 overs in one-day matches.