Adams made his debut for Hampshire in 2002 (Getty)

Hampshire batsman Jimmy Adams believes players will need some time to get used to using the new pink ball.

The Hawks were victorious over Essex in a special Twenty20 challenge match on Wednesday night in which a pink ball was used with inconclusive results.

Adams told BBC Radio Solent: "It's hard to judge from just 40 overs whether it's more visible."

"It will take more time to get used to. Guys had trouble when white balls were first introduced."

The pink cricket ball is the brainchild of former Hampshire captain John Stephenson who is now the head of cricket at the MCC.

The game's lawmakers are concerned that the white ball deteriorates too quickly - it is now replaced after 34 overs in one-day internationals - and its visibility to fielders and batsmen is also an issue in certain light conditions.

"It sounds silly but it just felt like a darkish version of the white ball," added Adams.

"Quite possibly the more we play with it the easier it will get, but when we fielded we all thought it was OK.

"To be honest I've always found the white ball can be hard to judge in the field under lights."