Test cricket is often called the longest game in the world. A Test match can last up to five days, and players work very hard during those days. To help players get rest and feel fresh, cricket has two main breaks during each day of play. These breaks are very important for the game. One break is for lunch, and the other is for tea. Here at 96 in app and website, you will get to know about the tea break time in test cricket.
What Exactly is a Tea Break?
A tea break is the second time when players stop playing during a day of Test cricket. It happens in the afternoon, after the second session of play ends. The tea break gives players time to rest, drink water, eat light food, and plan their next moves. The break lasts for exactly 20 minutes. Even though it is called a “tea” break, players do not always drink tea. They might have water, energy drinks, fruits, or snacks instead.
The tea break is more than just stopping the game. It is a time when captains and team leaders talk to their players. They discuss what happened during the last session and decide what they will do in the final session. This helps the team work better and play smarter.
How Long Does Tea Break Last?
The tea break in test cricket is always 20 minutes long. This is different from the lunch break, which lasts for 40 minutes. Both breaks are very important, but they have different lengths. The 20-minute tea break gives players enough time to rest and refuel their bodies without making the match day too long.
When does the tea break happen? It usually comes about two hours after lunch ends. If play starts at 9:30 in the morning, lunch happens around 11:30. Then play starts again at 12:10. The tea break then comes around 2:10 in the afternoon and ends at 2:30. After that, players come back for the final session.
Understanding the Three Sessions
Each day of Test cricket has three sessions of play. Let us understand them better:
- First Session (Morning): This session starts in the morning and goes for about two hours. Players begin fresh and full of energy. The opening batsmen face the opening bowlers who try their best to take wickets early.
- Lunch Break: After two hours of hard play, players take a 40-minute lunch break. This longer break helps them eat a proper meal and rest well.
- Second Session (Afternoon): After lunch, play continues for another two hours. This is when the afternoon heat is strongest, and players feel more tired.
- Tea Break: This is our 20-minute break. Players stop, rest, and prepare for the last push of the day.
- Third Session (Evening): The final session runs until the day’s play ends, usually around 6 in the evening. By this time, players are tired but must keep playing.
Why is Tea Break Time Important?
The tea break plays a big role in how a Test match goes. Here are some reasons why it matters:
- Rest and Recovery: After nearly five hours of playing, both fielders and bowlers are very tired. The tea break gives them a chance to rest their bodies and get ready for more cricket.
- Mental Freshness: Test cricket requires players to think hard and stay focused the whole time. The short break helps their minds refresh. Players can think clearly again after drinking water and sitting for a few minutes.
- Team Strategy: Captains use the tea break to talk with their teams. If the bowling side has done well, they can plan how to get more wickets. If the batting side is struggling, they can decide how to play better. This planning often changes how the next session goes.
- Physical Help: Players eat fruits, light snacks, or energy bars during tea break. They drink water or sports drinks. This gives them energy for the last two hours of cricket. Good nutrition helps players play their best cricket.
How Tea Break is Different in Day-Night Tests?
In recent years, cricket has started day-night Tests. These are Test matches played with a pink ball under lights in the evening. In day-night Tests, the breaks are arranged differently.
In a regular day Test, the order is lunch then tea. But in a day-night Test, sometimes the order changes. The first break might be tea, and the second break might be dinner. The dinner break is longer, usually 40 minutes, because players need more time in the evening.
This change shows that cricket is modern now, but it still respects the old traditions. The breaks still give players time to rest, no matter what time of day they play.
The History of Tea Break in Cricket
The tea break comes from England, where Test cricket began. In England, taking tea in the afternoon is a tradition that is very old. When cricket started in England, they added a tea break to respect this tradition. Over time, the tea break became an official part of Test cricket rules.
Today, all cricket players follow this rule. Even players from India, Australia, Pakistan, South Africa, and other countries follow the 20-minute tea break rule. It is now part of cricket history and culture around the world.
Famous Moments During Tea Breaks
Some of the most exciting moments in Test cricket have happened around tea breaks. For example, in 1981, during a famous English Test match, England was losing badly. But after the tea break, a player named Ian Botham played amazing cricket and helped England win. This is now a famous story in cricket.
In 2001, India played Australia in Kolkata. India was almost losing, but the momentum changed during and after the tea break. India came back to win that match. These stories show that tea break time in test cricket is not just a small pause. It can change the whole match.
How Players Use Tea Break Time Today?
Modern players are very smart about using their 20 minutes. They do not waste time. Here is what players do during tea break:
They eat light foods like bananas, oranges, or energy bars. They drink water and energy drinks. They sit in a cool place to lower their body temperature. They talk with the team about what happened and what will happen next. The captain might change the bowling attack or batting order. Players might also get a quick massage or stretch their muscles.
If you watch cricket on television, you might notice that players come back from tea break looking more fresh and ready. This happens because they use their time very well.
Tea Break Rules in Cricket
Cricket has clear rules about tea breaks. The break must be exactly 20 minutes long. The break usually happens at a set time each day. However, these times can change if rain stops the game or if bad light stops play.
If an innings ends near the tea break time, sometimes tea happens right away. If play is interrupted, the umpires and captains might talk and decide when to take tea. The rules are fair to both teams.
Important Facts About Tea Break Time in Test Cricket
Tea break happens after the second session of play. The break lasts exactly 20 minutes. Players rest, eat, and plan during this time. The tea break is important for a team’s success. Many exciting cricket moments have happened just before or after tea. The tea break is based on old English tradition. Day-night Tests might have different break arrangements. Cricket teams from all countries follow the same tea break rules.
If you want to enjoy Test cricket even more, watch what happens during and after the tea break. You will see how this simple break can change the whole match. You can enjoy watching Test cricket on many platforms, including the 96 betting app, which offer great ways to follow the game and explore cricket betting options.
