Latest Rules of Test Cricket Matches
The latest rules of Test cricket, as of 2024, include several significant changes and refinements to ensure the game’s integrity and adapt to evolving strategies. Here’s a breakdown of the key aspects:
General Test Cricket Rules
- Duration and Structure: A test match spans over five days with two innings per side. Each day typically consists of three sessions, each with 30 overs, and breaks of 40 minutes for lunch and 20 minutes for tea.
- Follow-on Rule: If the team batting second is trailing by more than 200 runs. The team batting first can enforce a follow-on, requiring the trailing team to bat again.
- Declaration: Teams can declare their innings if they feel they have enough runs to control the match.
- Match Result: The game can result in a win, loss, or draw. Depending on the scores and whether all innings are completed within the five days,.
- Over Limit: A minimum of 90 overs must be bowled per day (15 overs per hour), with a minimum of 75 overs on the last day. This number can be adjusted due to weather or other disturbances.
- New Balls: A new ball is available every 80 overs and can be replaced earlier if it loses shape.
- Decision Review System (DRS): Teams are allowed two DRS reviews per inning. With no review lost in the case of an umpire’s call on LBW decisions.
- Floodlights and Day-Night Tests: Day-night Test matches are played with a pink ball under floodlights. Subject to approval by the ICC and agreement between the playing boards.
Recent Rule Changes (2024)
- Stumping Referrals: The ICC has modified stumping referrals to focus only on the side angle, limiting reviews to checking for stumping only and preventing free reviews for other dismissal types without choosing a player review. This addresses the loophole where fielding teams could exploit the system for additional review benefits.
- Auto No-Ball: The third umpire now automatically checks all forms of foot-fault no-balls, not just the front foot.
- On-Field Injury Assessment and Treatment: A maximum of four minutes is allowed for on-field injury assessment or treatment.
- Concussion Replacement Rule: The concussion substitute provision has been refined. A player replacing another due to a concussion will be restricted from bowling. If the replaced player was already suspended from bowling at the time of their concussion,
Note:
These updates reflect the ICC’s ongoing efforts to maintain the fairness and competitive balance of Test cricket, adapting to the game’s tactical evolutions and technological advancements.