It's worth taking a look at the evolution of the game of Cricket. The earlier dominance of Test Cricket is significantly interrupted by more spicy and colorful One Day Internationals (ODI). Critics, former players and Cricket lovers are usually divided into two groups in the debate between Test Cricket and Limited Overs Internationals. While ODIs are supported mostly by the younger generation of spectators, Test Matches are watched and admired by people irrespective of age. It is said that the term 'Test' owes its origin to the very nature of the games played in the longer version. They are extremely demanding, both physically and psychologically.

It takes a lot of guts and test of character to endure the ups and downs of a test match. The sheer uncertainty of Cricket is best reflected in Test matches too. A single session of poor performance can mar the collective and consistent effort put in by the entire team. It is also said that the real charm About Cricket is felt in test matches only. Since there are different set of Cricket Regulations for test matches and ODIs, the Playing Conditions for Men's Test Matches differ a great deal from that of the limited over matches.

Furthermore, the Playing Conditions for Men's Test Matches are more challenging if compared to that of the Women's Test Matches.

The evolution of test cricket from the good old days of Timeless Tests to the World Championship of Test Cricket is an interesting one. Under the Playing Conditions for Men’s Test Matches, a match can last up to a maximum of five days with three playing sessions in each of the days. The session leading up to lunch is called the 'Morning Session'. The lunch break is for 40 minutes and the tea break in the afternoon lasts for 20 minutes. Each of the sessions is usually 2 hour long, unless situation demands otherwise.

The on-field Playing Conditions for Men’s Test Matches have remained more or less same from earlier times. The team winning the toss either bats or bowls. After the completion of the first innings, the fielding team starts batting. If they score 200 runs lesser than the first innings score of the team that batted earlier, they may be asked to follow on. This decision of enforcing the follow on is subject to the discretion of the captain, senior players and the coach. However, follow on is normally enforced to gain an advantage. It's very rare that a team that enforces follow on ends up on the loosing side.

After the completion of four innings, or three in case of a team following on, if the result of the match remains undecided, it is declared as a drawn test.


Cricket Regulations

ICC Code of Conduct for Umpires	Duckworth Lewis Method
Playing Conditions for Men’s Test Matches	Playing Conditions for Men’s One day International

US Office	: US Market Access Centre, 111N Market Street, Suite No.650, 6th floor, San Jose, California. 95113-1101, Phone: +1(408) 351-3379
New Delhi Office	: C-62, Community Centre, Janakpuri, New Delhi-58 (India),Tel : +91-11-41588012, 25542045, Fax : + 91-11-25547264