CRICKET Australia will launch an investigation into the ball issues that have plagued the second Test at the WACA Ground. 
It is ironic the traditional red Kookaburra balls have become problematic on the eve of the historic pink ball day-night Test in Adelaide later this month.
New Zealand's new ball had to be changed in just the sixth over of Australia's second innings yesterday - believed to be the eighth ball change of the match due to poor condition.
A CA spokesman confirmed yesterday the malfunctioning balls would be sent back to the manufacturer for assessment, while umpires and players from both teams will also be asked for their feedback.
"We will hand the match balls from the Perth Test back to Kookaburra to investigate what the issue may be causing the deterioration," he said. "As with any Test, CA will also collate feedback from the match officials and players." Former Australia captain Mark Taylor yesterday described one of the offending balls as a "bean bag" after a close-up inspection.
While the experimental pink ball has been the subject of controversy, the red ball dramas are now looming as a more significant issue for CA.
Any perception that poor balls could be hurting the quality of Test match play is the last thing the game needs this summer, with an understrength West Indies team to feature in the marquee Boxing Day and New Years' Tests.The ball issues also raise the question of whether the repeated edges that have not carried to the slips during the match could be due in part to the soft balls.