Cricket is one of the most loved sports in the world, celebrated for its thrill and tradition. While the game is played in various formats, a true cricket fan often has a special fondness for Test cricket. This format is known for its unmatched demand for patience, endurance, and strategic brilliance. Unlike the fast-paced nature of limited-over matches, Test cricket is typically scheduled to be played over a maximum of five consecutive days. But here is a fascinating fact that might surprise you: the longest Test match in history lasted a staggering 10 days! Sounds astounding? We totally agree.
How many days did the longest Test match last?
Some of the most passionate fans of Test cricket may have often wondered just how many days did the longest test match last? If you have not thought about it before here is an incredible story for you. The longest test match in cricket history was played in Durban, South Africa, back in 1939. This match was between South Africa and England, and what makes it truly remarkable is that it went on for an astonishing 10 days of actual play. It was spread over 12 days because 2 days were taken as rest days.
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#OnThisDay in 1939, the longest Test in history, played between South Africa and England, ended as a draw after 1️⃣1️⃣ days of play!
Ken Farnes (left) and Hedley Verity (right), pictured here as they returned from the tour, bowled a combined 1311 balls in the match! 🤯 pic.twitter.com/V0obUejs89
— ICC (@ICC) March 14, 2020
This extraordinary match is famous called the ‘Timeless Test” because it had no fixed time limit and was supposed to continue until one team won. The match began on March 3, 1939, at Kingsmead cricket ground in Durban and lasted until March 14.
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The longest test match that ended in a draw
Now, you might be curious about what was the combined score of both the teams in this longest test match, well, it was an astounding 1,981 runs! England batted first and put up a respectable 316 runs. South Africa responded with a powerful innings, scoring a commanding 530 runs.
In their second innings, England showed an incredible performance, batting hard to reach 654 for 5 wickets. They were playing exceptionally well and came very close to chasing down the massive target of 696 runs set by South Africa.
Despite the successful running towards the targetted score, the game was finally declared a draw, not because either team gave up but because the English team had to leave to catch their ship back to Britain. At that time, teams traveled by sea and missing the ship was not an option. So, even though match could have continued, it had to be stopped, marking the end of the longest test match ever played in cricket history.
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The end of timeless format in favour of time-bound Tests
The timeless Test format demanded an extraordinary level of physical and mental endurance from the players. During this longest test match, teams bowled a combined total of 1,311 balls and batted for hours on end, often under the scorching heat of Durban. To say that the conditions were tough would be an understatement. The sheer length and intensity of the match undoubtedly took a heavy toll on the players.
Because of the extreme nature of the timeless Tests, cricket authorities eventually decided to reconsider the format. They concluded that such marathon matches were no longer practical and introduced a strict time limit, capping Test matches at a maximum of five days.
This historic decision transformed the Test cricket into the format we know today and made the 1939 Durban Test a truly unique and unforgettable event in the sport’s rich history.
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Were you aware of how many days did the longest test match last? What do you think about the timeless format? Do share your thoughts via the comments below.
