What is a Rest Day in Test Cricket? 

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In today’s fast-paced world of T20 cricket, where games finish in just a few hours, the traditional five-day Test cricket format offers a welcome change. But even in Test cricket, there have been some variations, such as the idea of a ‘Rest Day.’

The upcoming Sri Lanka-New Zealand Test series, part of the World Test Championship, is bringing Rest Days back into focus. The first Test, set to begin on September 18 in Galle, will be played over six days, with a Rest Day on September 21. This break is due to the Presidential Election in Sri Lanka.

This decision has caught the attention of cricket fans, who are curious about when Test cricket last featured a Rest Day and what exactly it is. 

What is a Rest Day in Test Cricket? 

Rest Days were once common in Test cricket, especially in England. Back then, matches often lasted six days, with a day off on Sunday. This break gave players time to recover and allowed the pitch to regain its original characteristics, like bounce and pace.

However, as the demand for international cricket grew and teams aimed to make the most of their playing time, Rest Days slowly disappeared from the sport.

The Last Test with a Rest Day

To find the most recent Test match that included a Rest Day, we need to go back to 2008. During Sri Lanka’s tour of Bangladesh, the first Test was played over six days, with a Rest Day due to a parliamentary election.

Although Rest Days are now rare in Test cricket, the upcoming Sri Lanka-New Zealand series reminds us of the sport’s rich history and its flexibility in adapting to new situations. 

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