How Many Sessions in Test Match: Lunch Break & Sessions Per Day
In Test cricket, a session is defined as the period of play between two breaks. Typically, a day’s play in a Test match consists of three sessions, with a lunch break and a tea break separating the different sessions.
A standard Test match is played over five days, which usually means a total of 15 sessions, or 3 overs per 5 days. Each session is approximately two hours long, which under normal circumstances equates to 90 overs per day.
Here’s just a basic outline of the session structure in a Test match:
| Session | Timing (Approx.) | Duration | Break After Session |
|---|---|---|---|
| Morning Session | 9:30 AM – 11:30 AM | 2 Hours | Lunch Break (40 mins) |
| Afternoon Session | 12:10 PM – 2:10 PM | 2 Hours | Tea Break (20 mins) |
| Evening Session | 2:30 PM – 4:30 PM | 2 Hours (can extend for light) | Stumps (End of Day) |
How many sessions are in a Test match?
A Test match has three sessions per day, and the game lasts for five days, so there are usually 15 sessions in total. However, this number varies depending on disruptions such as rain, bad light or long overs.
Rarely, the umpire may extend a session by 30 minutes to make up for lost time or to allow a team to complete its innings.
So, while the ideal number is 15 sessions, real-world conditions sometimes make it 14 or 16 sessions due to adjustments.
Test Match Session Timings Explained
Each day in a Test match observes a programmed timetable kept under the observation of match referees and umpires. Let’s see how the day typically unfolds:
1. Morning Session (Session 1)
- Approximate Start Time: 9:30 AM or 10:00 AM (local time)
- Ends: Around 11:30 AM or 12:00 PM
- Duration: 2 hours
- Overs Expected: 30 overs
- Followed by: 40-minute Lunch Break
The morning session usually sets the tone of the day. Bowlers exploit early swing and bounce, while batsmen aim to build a foundation.
2. Afternoon Session (Session 2)
- Starts: Around 12:10 PM
- Ends: Approximately 2:10 PM
- Duration: 2 hours
- Overs Expected: 30 overs
- Followed by: 20-minute Tea Break
This is often the most productive session of the day: bowlers tire out, and batsmen capitalize on the now-settled pitch.
3. Evening Session (Session 3)
- Starts: Around 2:30 PM
- Ends: Approximately 4:30 PM (can be extended till 5:00 PM)
- Duration: 2 hours
- Overs Expected: 30 overs
- Followed by: Stumps – End of Day
The evening session is where game strategy really comes to life. With the field either defensive or offensive depending on the match situation, teams like to end the day on a high note.
Breaks in a Test Match: Lunch, Tea, and Drinks
Test cricket is as much about stamina as it is about strategy. The players are given regular intervals to sustain their physical energy levels.
1. Lunch Break
- Duration: 40 minutes
- Timing: After the morning session
- Purpose: To allow players to rest, recover, and refuel before the long afternoon session.
If, owing to weather or light conditions, the start of play is delayed, the lunch interval shall be shortened or taken later.
2. Tea Break
- Duration: 20 minutes
- Timing: After the afternoon session
- Purpose: To refresh players before the final session of the day.
Umpires can, if weather delays do occur, combine tea and lunch into a single 30-minute interval to maximize playing time.
3. Drinks Break
- Duration: Approximately 5 minutes
- Timing: Mid-session, in every session, after every 60 minutes of playing
- Purpose: Hydration and brief team discussions.
What happens if rain or bad light interrupts play?
As an outdoor sport, cricket has many stoppages due to either the weather or light conditions. When such interruptions occur:
- The lost time is added to later sessions, often the evening session.
- Each day can be extended by 30 minutes to compensate.
- If no time is available to recover, the overs are deducted proportionally.
For example:
If the morning session is shortened by 30 minutes because of rain, the evening session may be extended by 30 minutes if weather and light allow.
Sample Table: Session-wise Play in a Test Match
Here’s how a full day’s play of 90 overs is normally divided in terms of sessions and overs:
| Session | Expected Overs | Duration | Type of Break After | Possible Extension |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Morning | 30 | 2 Hours | Lunch (40 mins) | +15 mins |
| Afternoon | 30 | 2 Hours | Tea (20 mins) | +15 mins |
| Evening | 30 | 2 Hours | Stumps | +30 mins (if needed) |
Player Roles During Sessions
Every session presents different challenges for batters, bowlers, and captains.
| Player Type | Morning Session Role | Afternoon Session Role | Evening Session Role |
|---|---|---|---|
| Batsman | Survive early swing; build innings | Capitalize on loose bowling | Maintain focus; prevent collapse |
| Fast Bowlers | Use early seam movement | Rotate workloads | Exploit reverse swing |
| Spinners | Less effective early | Come into play as pitch wears | Attack tired batsmen |
| Captain | Set aggressive fields | Balance attack & defense | Plan declaration or new ball usage |
This sessional rhythm defines why Test cricket is often called “a game of patience and planning.
Alos Read: Fastest Players to Score 1000/2000/3000/4000 Runs in Test History
Conclusion
Finally, a Test match day is divided into three sessions: morning, afternoon and evening, each session lasting around two hours, including a break. This structure ensures around 15 sessions of the most intense cricketing action over five days. Because of this structure, Test cricket maintains its place as the most challenging and respected form of the game. Each session brings a new chapter: whether it is the bowlers hunting down early wickets or the captain strategizing. Viewed under this understanding, Test match sessions demonstrate why this format is the “ultimate test” of a cricketer’s skills.
FAQs: People Also Ask
Q1. In a day’s play of a Test match, how many sessions are there?
In a Test match, there are three sessions of play during the day, morning, afternoon and evening. Each session is about two hours long.
Q2. How many sessions are there in a five-day Test match?
A standard five-day test has a total of 15 sessions, as it consists of 3 sessions × 5 days. Interruptions or extensions may slightly alter that calculation.
Q3. How long does a session last in Test cricket?
Each session is usually two hours long, with around 30 overs bowled, assuming a normal over rate.
Q4. Can session timings be changed?
Yes, umpires and match referees can adjust the timing due to rain, poor lighting, or excessive heat. Sometimes, the game starts much earlier, such as at 9:15 a.m., to make up for lost time.
Q5. How many overs are bowled in one day of Test cricket?
Accordingly, a full day’s play consists of 90 overs, divided into three sessions of approximately 30 overs.
