The pink ball is supposed to behave at least somewhat like the traditional red Kookaburra.
But after sending down 10 overs in a tour match against Western Australia last weekend, New Zealand paceman Tim Southee feels it's more white than red.
"It's definitely closer to a white ball than it is a red," Southee told AAP.
"You can't really buff it like you can a red ball.
"It's coating is more kind of like a paint, where it sort of cracks rather than shines like leather.
"It's still a learning process (bowling with the pink ball)."
That process is happening as NZ attempt to level a three-Test series, rated by most players as their pinnacle because of the trans-Tasman rivalry.
As such, you can understand why there was a degree of apprehension regarding the fixture.
"I guess we'll know after the five days in Adelaide whether it's something worth pursuing or whether it needs more work before they try again," Southee said.
"Everyone's pretty excited to be part of history."
The International Cricket Council changed its rules in 2011 to allow a new ball from each end in ODIs.
It was meant to deal with the white ball's loss of colour towards the end of an innings.
For similar reasons, some Sheffield Shield players have suggested a sensible day-night rule tweak would be for the second new ball to become available earlier than the 80th over.
Southee won't have that luxury in the inaugural day-night Test, which starts on Friday at Adelaide Oval.
But the right-armer has caused plenty of havoc with a hooping white ball.
In this year's World Cup he humiliated England, grabbing the stunning figures of 7-33.
Australia's inability to combat quality swing bowling has also been exposed in recent years, most notably during their past two failed Ashes campaigns in England.
Much has been made of how dangerous Mitchell Starc's late swing will be under lights in the third Test.
NZ have struggled to swing the red ball consistently in the ongoing series but did so on day five of the second Test.
Southee is upbeat his side will be able to repeat that performance.
"We're at our best when it's swinging," he said of the Black Caps' bowlers.
"Both sides can swing the ball. It's how you perform in that time when it does do a little bit.
"So hopefully we can get the pink ball swinging and get our areas right.
"If we do that, hopefully we'll be a handful."
Southee had a six-over spell under lights during last weekend's tour match against in Perth.
The 26-year-old also sent down a four-over spell when the sun was up.
"There was a little bit of swing there in the day but obviously it does more under lights," he said.
"Both sides know that."
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