Test cricket is the longest and oldest format of the game. For many, it’s the ultimate test of skill, patience, and teamwork. But if you're not familiar with it, the rules can seem tricky. Things like innings, follow-ons, and declarations might leave you scratching your head.
Don’t worry—this guide will walk you through every important rule of Test cricket in a clear, easy way. Whether you’re new to the game or want a simple refresher, this post is all you need.
What Is Test Cricket?
Test cricket is a format played between two international teams over five days. Each team gets two innings to bat and bowl. The goal is to score more runs than the other team and get them out twice.
Basic Match Structure
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Duration: Up to 5 days
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Innings: Each team bats twice (2 innings each)
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Overs per Day: About 90
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Breaks: 2 per day – Lunch and Tea
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Sessions: 3 per day – Morning, Afternoon, Evening
A Test match can end early if one team wins before Day 5. If time runs out and no team wins, the match is drawn.
How the Game Starts: The Toss
Before play begins, the captains toss a coin. The winner of the toss chooses whether to bat or bowl first. This choice can affect the result because pitch conditions often change during the five days.
What Is an Innings?
An innings is the period a team bats until 10 players are out or the captain declares. Each team gets two innings unless they are bowled out or time runs out.
How Does a Team Win?
To win a Test match, a team must:
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Score more runs than the other team.
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Bowl them out twice (get 10 wickets in each innings).
If both teams score the same and all innings are finished, the match ends in a tie (very rare). If no team finishes the match in time, it's a draw.
Batting and Bowling Rules
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Each team bats twice.
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10 wickets per innings.
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Bowlers take turns delivering 6-ball overs.
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After 80 overs, teams can take a new ball.
Fielding and Dismissals
A batter can be dismissed in several ways:
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Bowled – Ball hits the stumps
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Caught – Ball is caught before touching the ground
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LBW – Ball hits leg in front of stumps
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Run Out – Batter is outside crease when stumps are broken
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Stumped – Keeper breaks stumps while batter is outside crease
Declarations and the Follow-On
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Declaration: A captain can end the innings early to give more time to bowl out the opposition.
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Follow-On: If the team batting second scores 200+ fewer runs than the first team, the first team can ask them to bat again immediately.
The New Ball Rule
Once 80 overs are bowled in an innings, the bowling team can take a new ball. A newer ball bounces more and helps fast bowlers.
Decision Review System (DRS)
Teams can challenge the umpire’s decision using video review. Each team gets two unsuccessful reviews per innings. DRS uses ball tracking and other tech to help make correct calls.
What Happens in a Draw?
A draw happens if time runs out and neither team is able to dismiss the other twice. This is common in Test cricket. Sometimes, teams play defensively to avoid losing rather than trying to win.
Pink Ball and Day-Night Tests
Some Test matches are played under lights using a pink ball. These are called Day-Night Tests and often start in the afternoon and go into the evening. They aim to attract more viewers.
Step-by-Step Flow of a Test Match
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Toss – Decide who bats or bowls first.
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1st Innings – Team A bats
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1st Innings – Team B bats
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Option to enforce follow-on (if applicable)
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2nd Innings – Team A bats
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2nd Innings – Team B bats
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Result – Win, Loss, Draw, or Tie
Important Rules to Remember
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No limit on overs per innings
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No fielding restrictions (unlike ODIs or T20s)
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Five days with up to 90 overs daily
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15 sessions over 5 days (3 per day)
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Players wear white clothing and use a red or pink ball
Pros and Cons of Test Cricket
Pros:
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Strategy and patience are key
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Tells you who the better team really is
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Room for comebacks
Cons:
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Takes a long time
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Can end in a draw
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Needs commitment to follow
Real Match Example: Ashes 2019 - Headingley Test
England chased 359 runs to win on Day 4. Ben Stokes scored 135* in one of the greatest innings ever. Australia couldn’t dismiss England a second time, and England won by 1 wicket. This shows how exciting a Test can get in the final moments.
FAQs
What is the meaning of Test cricket?
Test cricket is a 5-day international match format with two innings per team.
How many players are there in a Test match?
Each team has 11 players, so 22 in total.
Why does Test cricket take 5 days?
To allow both teams to bat twice and for full tactical play.
What happens if a match is drawn?
No winner is declared. It counts as a draw in the records.
What is the follow-on rule?
If the second team scores 200+ fewer runs, they may be asked to bat again.
Who decides to take the new ball?
The bowling team captain after 80 overs.
Is there a super over in Test cricket?
No. Test cricket doesn’t use super overs. Matches can end in a draw or tie.
Can a team win without batting twice?
Yes, if they dismiss the other team twice and pass their score in one innings.
What is a Day-Night Test?
A Test match played under lights using a pink ball.
Why do players wear white in Tests?
It's a tradition, and white clothing reflects heat during long playing hours.
Final Thoughts and CTA
Test cricket may seem slow at first, but it’s filled with moments of tension, skill, and excitement. Now that you know the rules, give a match a proper watch. You’ll soon see why it’s called the purest form of the game.
If you found this helpful, share it with friends or comment below with your thoughts. Want a guide on ODIs or T20s next? Let me know!
