Ever wondered how many overs are in Test cricket, or about the wider Test cricket format? Here’s an introduction to Test cricket from the team at Betway.
Discover the enduring appeal of the Test cricket format through this concise guide. From the basics of the sport to game structure and key timings, we’ll answer the questions that often get asked. You can also find out more about betting on popular cricket events in one convenient place – the Betway sportsbook.
What is Test cricket?
Test cricket differs from other types of cricket because it’s the longest and most traditional form of the sport. That’s why it’s often regarded as the ultimate examination of skill, stamina, and strategy.
The format of Test cricket sees two teams play over multiple days, with each side batting and bowling twice if time allows. It’s part of the cricket Test match format governed by the International Cricket Council (ICC) and is considered the pinnacle of the sport for many players.
The Test cricket format prioritises patience, technique, and tactical thinking, making it very different from the shorter, fast-paced formats like One Day Internationals and T20.
How do Tests differ to other cricket formats?
The Test cricket format is very different from the limited-over versions of the game. In the cricket Test match format, each side has two innings, and there’s no restriction on the number of overs. So, how many days is Test cricket? Matches can last up to five days, making it a lengthy event.
Let’s compare this to One Day Internationals (ODIs). Each team bats for a maximum of 50 overs, with games typically completed in around eight hours. In T20 matches, that’s reduced to just 20 overs per side, creating a faster, more explosive style of play.
Unlike ODIs and T20s, the format of Test cricket allows for draws, giving more scope for defensive play and long-term tactics. Shorter formats focus on aggressive batting and quick scoring, whereas Tests reward patience, discipline and sustained pressure over multiple days.
What are the rules of Test cricket?
The Test cricket format is played between two 11-player teams. Each day has up to six hours of play, broken into three sessions.
A cricket Test match format features four innings in total, with each team batting twice and bowling twice, time permitting. When batting, the goal is to score as many runs as possible. An innings ends when 10 of the 11 batsmen are out, or when the batting captain ‘declares’ to bring their innings to a close.
At the end of Test matches, the team with the most runs across both innings wins. If the five days finish without a result, the match is drawn.
How many overs in a day of Test cricket?
When fielding, the aim is to dismiss the opposition’s batsmen and limit their scoring. There’s no overall limit to how many overs in Test cricket, but a day’s play will typically include at least 90 overs.
How many sessions in Test cricket?
There are three: the morning session (followed by a lunch break), the afternoon session (followed by tea), and the evening session.
How many reviews in Test cricket?
Under the Decision Review System (DRS), each team is allowed three unsuccessful reviews per innings in Test matches.
When do you get a new ball in Test cricket?
A fielding side can request a new ball after 80 overs of an innings. This allows bowlers to regain bounce, swing, and pace.
What is the follow-on in Test cricket?
If the team batting second scores significantly fewer runs than the team batting first (usually 200 or more behind), the first team can make them bat again immediately instead of taking their own second innings.
How do you win a Test match?
The team with the most runs after both sides have batted twice wins the match. If neither side can force a result within the allotted time, the game ends in a draw.
What time does Test cricket start?
In most countries, play in a Test match begins at 11:00am local time. However, start times can vary depending on the venue, weather conditions, or special scheduling, such as day–night Tests, which usually begin in the afternoon under floodlights.
The day ends when ‘stumps’ is called (answering the popular question of what time is stumps in Test cricket), which is usually around 6:00pm to 6:30pm, depending on conditions and over rates.
Which countries play Test cricket?
To take part in Test cricket, a nation must hold official Test status granted by the International Cricket Council. Among the biggest and most successful Test-playing nations are England, Australia, India, South Africa, and New Zealand. Other nations with Test status include Pakistan, Sri Lanka, West Indies, Bangladesh, Afghanistan and Ireland.
These teams compete in bilateral series and in the ICC World Test Championship, which determines the top side in the world over a two-year cycle. You can see the latest standings in the ICC World Test Championship table.
Different Test cricket competitions
Here’s how the different Test cricket competitions differ from each other:
The Ashes
One of sport’s most famous rivalries, The Ashes is contested between England and Australia. It dates back to 1882, when Australia’s victory at The Oval prompted a satirical obituary declaring that English cricket had died and “the body will be cremated and the ashes taken to Australia.” The tiny urn became the symbolic prize.
The next series of the Ashes is due to start in November 2025 – you can already bet on the Ashes series winner; but be sure to come back nearer the time for even more markets!
ICC World Test Championships
Launched by the International Cricket Council in 2019, this competition is a league-style tournament involving all Test nations, culminating in a final to crown the world champions. Points are awarded for wins, draws, and ties across the two-year cycle.
Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy
Introduced in 2025 for the England v India Test series, the trophy honours two legends: England fast bowler James Anderson and Indian batting icon Sachin Tendulkar. It celebrates the fierce but respectful rivalry between the two nations.
Wisden Trophy
Awarded to the winner of a Test series between England and the West Indies from 1963 to 2020. Named after John Wisden, a 19th-century English cricketer and founder of Wisden Cricketers’ Almanack. It has since been replaced by the Richards–Botham Trophy.
Basil D’Oliveira Trophy
Contested between England and South Africa, it’s named after Basil D’Oliveira, a South African-born cricketer who represented England. His 1968 selection became a flashpoint in the sporting boycott against apartheid.
Crowe-Thorpe Trophy
Awarded for the Test series between England and New Zealand, this trophy honours New Zealand’s Martin Crowe and England’s Graham Thorpe, both renowned for their batting skill and contributions to their national teams.
How to bet on Test cricket
Betting on Test cricket can be as strategic as the game itself. Popular markets include predicting the match winner, top run-scorer, top wicket-taker, session runs, and even whether a game will end in a draw. You can also explore in-play betting, adjusting your bet as the match unfolds across multiple days.
Betway offers competitive odds, a secure platform and a wide range of cricket markets. You can stay ahead of the game with the Betway Sports app. Download it now from the Play Store or the App Store to enjoy live betting, real-time updates and exclusive offers right at your fingertips.
And if you’d like to explore the sport in more detail, find out why Steve Harrison believes Ben Stokes is England’s greatest ever Test captain and discover the impact climate change is having on cricket.
