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''{{short description|Longest form of cricket}}
{{Short description|Longest form of cricket}}
{{about|the format for men's international cricket|the women's format|Women's Test cricket}}
{{About|the format for men's international cricket|the women's format|Women's Test cricket}}
{{Use British English|date=January 2021}}
{{Use British English|date=January 2021}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2021}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2021}}
{{float box|{{ICC Test Championship rankings}}|style=font-size:80%|margins=0px 0 6px 20px}}
{{Float box|{{ICC Test Championship rankings}}|style=font-size:80%|margins=0px 0 6px 20px}}
[[File:England vs South Africa.jpg|thumb|upright=1.35|A Test match between South Africa and England in January 2005. The two men wearing black trousers are the [[umpire (cricket)|umpires]]. Test cricket is played in traditional white clothes and usually with a [[cricket ball|red ball]] – a pink ball in full day/night Tests]]
[[File:England vs South Africa.jpg|thumb|upright=1.35|A Test match between South Africa and England in January 2005. The two men wearing black trousers are the [[umpire (cricket)|umpires]]. Test cricket is played in traditional white clothes and usually with a [[cricket ball|red ball]] – a pink ball in full day/night Tests]]
{{Cricket sidebar |expanded=all}}
{{Cricket sidebar |expanded=all}}
'''Test cricket''' is the form of the sport of [[cricket]] with the longest match duration and is considered the game's highest standard.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/cricket/23494008 |title=Test cricket: Does the oldest form of the game have a future? |publisher=BBC |last=Bond |first=David |date=29 July 2013 |access-date=21 December 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/content/story/410365.html |title=Adam Gilchrist's Cowdrey Lecture, 2009 |publisher=ESPN CricInfo |date=24 June 2009 |access-date=21 December 2008}}</ref> Rotary Test matches are played between national representative teams that have been granted Test status, as determined and conferred by the [[International Cricket Council]] (ICC). It is called ''Test'' because the long, gruelling matches are mentally and physically testing.<ref>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=6Vu9cih3u1kC&q=%22dictionary+of+cricket%22+test&pg=PT336|title=Dictionary of Cricket|last=Rundell|first=Michael|publisher=A&C Black Publishers Ltd|year=2006|isbn=978-0-7136-7915-1|location=London|page=336|access-date=17 October 2011}}</ref> Two teams of 11 players each play a four-[[innings]] match, which may last up to five days (or more in the past). It is generally considered the most complete examination of a team's endurance and ability.<ref>[https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/cricket/international/theashes/5789583/The-Ashes-Lifeless-pitches-should-not-be-accepted.html Lifeless pitches should not be accepted], ''The Daily Telegraph''. Retrieved 1 August 2009.</ref><ref>[https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/cricket/knights-return-to-proving-ground-727677.html "Knight's return to proving ground"], Retrieved 1 August 2009.</ref><ref>[http://www.cricinfo.com/ci/content/story/410365.html "Adam Gilchrist's Cowdrey Lecture", 2009], ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 1 August 2009.</ref>


The first officially recognised Test match took place between 15 and 19 March 1877 and was played between [[History of Test cricket (to 1883)#The first Test tour: 1876/77|England and Australia]] at the [[Melbourne Cricket Ground]] (MCG).<ref>[http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/match/62396.html Australia v England 1st Test 1876/1877] [[ESPNcricinfo]].</ref> In October 2012, the ICC recast the playing conditions for Test matches, permitting [[Day/night cricket|day/night Test matches]].<ref name="ICC paves way for Day-Night Tests">{{cite news| url=http://www.wisdenindia.com/cricket-news/icc-paves-day-night-tests/32709| title=ICC paves way for Day-Night Tests| publisher=Wisden India| date=29 October 2012| access-date=30 October 2012| archive-date=30 June 2015| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150630231143/http://www.wisdenindia.com/cricket-news/icc-paves-day-night-tests/32709| url-status=dead}}</ref> The first day/night game took place between [[New Zealand cricket team in Australia in 2015–16|Australia and New Zealand]] at the [[Adelaide Oval]], [[Adelaide]], on 27 November – 1 December 2015.<ref name="Adelaide">{{cite web |url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/australia/content/story/892403.html |title=First day-night Test for Adelaide Oval |access-date=29 June 2015 |publisher=ESPNCricinfo}}</ref>
'''Test cricket''' is a [[Cricket format|format]] of [[cricket]] with the longest match duration and is considered the game's highest standard.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/cricket/23494008 |title=Test cricket: Does the oldest form of the game have a future? |publisher=BBC Sport |last=Bond |first=David |date=29 July 2013 |access-date=21 December 2016}}</ref><ref name=Gilchrist-2009>{{cite web|url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/content/story/410365.html |title=Adam Gilchrist's Cowdrey Lecture, 2009 |publisher=ESPN CricInfo |date=24 June 2009 |access-date=21 December 2008}}</ref> Test matches are played between national representative teams that have been granted Test status, as determined and conferred by the [[International Cricket Council]] (ICC). They are called ''Tests'' because the long, gruelling nature of matches makes them mentally and physically testing.<ref>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=6Vu9cih3u1kC&q=%22dictionary+of+cricket%22+test&pg=PT336|title=Dictionary of Cricket|last=Rundell|first=Michael|publisher=A&C Black Publishers Ltd|year=2006|isbn=978-0-7136-7915-1|location=London|page=336|access-date=17 October 2011}}</ref> Two teams of 11 players each play a four-[[innings]] match, which may last up to five days (or more in the past – matches with no time limit were called [[Timeless Test|Timeless Tests]]). It is generally considered the most complete examination of a team's endurance and ability.<ref>[https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/cricket/international/theashes/5789583/The-Ashes-Lifeless-pitches-should-not-be-accepted.html Lifeless pitches should not be accepted], ''The Daily Telegraph''. Retrieved 1 August 2009.</ref><ref>[https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/cricket/knights-return-to-proving-ground-727677.html "Knight's return to proving ground"], Retrieved 1 August 2009.</ref><ref name=Gilchrist-2009/>
 
The first officially recognised Test match took place between 15 and 19 March 1877 and was played between [[History of Test cricket from 1877 to 1883#The first Test tour: 1876/77|England and Australia]] at the [[Melbourne Cricket Ground]] (MCG).<ref>[http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/match/62396.html "Australia v England 1st Test 1876/1877"]. [[ESPNcricinfo]].</ref> In October 2012, the ICC recast the playing conditions for Test matches, permitting [[Day/night cricket|day/night Test matches]].<ref name="ICC paves way for Day-Night Tests">{{cite news| url=http://www.wisdenindia.com/cricket-news/icc-paves-day-night-tests/32709| title=ICC paves way for Day-Night Tests| publisher=Wisden India| date=29 October 2012| access-date=30 October 2012| archive-date=30 June 2015| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150630231143/http://www.wisdenindia.com/cricket-news/icc-paves-day-night-tests/32709| url-status=dead}}</ref> The first day/night game took place between [[New Zealand cricket team in Australia in 2015–16|Australia and New Zealand]] at the [[Adelaide Oval]], [[Adelaide]], on 27 November – 1 December 2015.<ref name="Adelaide">{{cite web |url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/australia/content/story/892403.html |title=First day-night Test for Adelaide Oval |access-date=29 June 2015 |publisher=ESPNCricinfo}}</ref>


== Early history ==
== Early history ==
{{main|History of cricket|History of Test cricket from 1877 to 1883|History of Test cricket from 1884 to 1889|History of Test cricket from 1890 to 1900}}
{{main|History of cricket|History of Test cricket from 1877 to 1883|History of Test cricket from 1884 to 1889|History of Test cricket from 1890 to 1900}}


Sides designated as "England" began to play in the late 18th century, but these teams were not truly representative. Early international cricket was disrupted by the [[French Revolution]] and the [[American Civil War]]. The earliest international cricket match was between [[United States v Canada (1844)|USA and Canada]], on 24 and 25 September 1844.<ref>[http://www.espncricinfo.com/usa/engine/match/318995.html United States of America v Canada 1844] – [[ESPNcricinfo]].</ref> This has never been officially considered a "Test match". Tours of national English sides abroad took place, particularly to the US, Australia and New Zealand. The [[Australian Aborigines]] team became the first organised overseas cricketers to [[Australian Aboriginal cricket team in England in 1868|tour England]] in [[1868 English cricket season|1868]].
Sides designated as "England" began to play in the late 18th century, but these teams were not truly representative. Early international cricket was disrupted by the [[French Revolution]] and the [[American Civil War]]. The earliest international cricket match was between [[Canadian cricket team in the United States in 1844|the United States and Canada]], on 24 and 26 September 1844 (bad weather prevented play on the 25th).<ref>[http://www.espncricinfo.com/usa/engine/match/318995.html United States of America v Canada 1844] – [[ESPNcricinfo]].</ref> This has never been officially considered a "Test match". Tours of national English sides abroad took place, particularly to the US, Australia and New Zealand. The [[Australian Aboriginal cricket team in England in 1868|Australian Aboriginal]] team became the first organised overseas cricketers to [[Australian Aboriginal cricket team in England in 1868|tour England]] in [[1868 English cricket season|1868]].


Two rival English tours of Australia were proposed in the early months of 1877, with [[James Lillywhite]] campaigning for a professional tour and [[Fred Grace]] for an amateur one. Grace's tour fell through and it was Lillywhite's team that toured New Zealand and Australia in 1876–77. Two matches against a combined Australian XI were later classified as the first official Test matches. The first match was won by Australia, by 45 runs and the second by England. After reciprocal tours established a pattern of international cricket, [[The Ashes]] was established as a competition during the Australian tour of England in 1882. A surprise victory for Australia inspired a mock obituary of English cricket to be published in the ''Sporting Times'' the following day: the phrase "The body shall be cremated and the ashes taken to Australia" prompted the subsequent creation of the Ashes urn. The series of 1884–85 was the first to be held over five matches: England player [[Alfred Shaw]], writing in 1901, considered the side to be "the best ever to have left England".
Two rival English tours of Australia were proposed in the early months of 1877, with [[James Lillywhite]] campaigning for a professional tour and [[Fred Grace]] for an amateur one. Grace's tour fell through and it was Lillywhite's team that toured New Zealand and Australia in 1876–77. Two matches against a combined Australian XI were later classified as the first official Test matches. The first match was won by Australia, by 45 runs and the second by England. After reciprocal tours established a pattern of international cricket, [[The Ashes]] was established as a competition during the Australian tour of England in 1882. A surprise victory for Australia inspired a mock obituary of English cricket to be published in the ''Sporting Times'' the following day: the phrase "The body shall be cremated and the ashes taken to Australia" prompted the subsequent creation of the Ashes urn. The series of 1884–85 was the first to be held over five matches: England player [[Alfred Shaw]], writing in 1901, considered the side to be "the best ever to have left England".
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===Teams with Test status===
===Teams with Test status===
Test status is conferred upon a country or group of countries by the ICC. There are currently twelve men's teams that have been granted this status. International teams that do not have Test status can play [[first-class cricket]] in the [[ICC Intercontinental Cup]], under conditions which are similar to Tests.
Test status is conferred upon a country or group of countries by the ICC. There are currently twelve men's teams that have been granted this status: international teams that do not have Test status can play [[first-class cricket]] in the [[ICC Intercontinental Cup]], under conditions which are similar to Tests.


The teams with Test status (with the date of each team's Test debut) are:
The teams with Test status (with the date of each team's Test debut) are:
#{{cr|Australia}} ([[English cricket team in Australia in 1876–77#First Test: England v Australia (15–19 March 1877)|15 March 1877]])
#{{cr|Australia}} ([[English cricket team in Australia and New Zealand in 1876–77#First Test|15 March 1877]])
#{{cr|England}} ([[English cricket team in Australia in 1876–77#First Test: England v Australia (15–19 March 1877)|15 March 1877]])
#{{cr|England}} ([[English cricket team in Australia and New Zealand in 1876–77#First Test|15 March 1877]])
#{{cr|South Africa}} ([[English cricket team in South Africa in 1888–89#First Test - South Africa v England (12–13 March 1889)|12 March 1889]])
#{{cr|South Africa}} ([[English cricket team in South Africa in 1888–89#First Test|12 March 1889]])
#{{cr|West Indies}} ([[West Indian cricket team in England in 1928#The First Test, Lord's, 23–26 June 1928|23 June 1928]])
#{{cr|West Indies}} ([[West Indian cricket team in England in 1928#First Test, Lord's, 23-26 June 1928|23 June 1928]])
#{{cr|New Zealand}} ([[English cricket team in New Zealand in 1929–30#Test series summary|10 January 1930]])
#{{cr|New Zealand}} ([[English cricket team in New Zealand in 1929–30#First Test|10 January 1930]])
#{{cr|India}} ([[Indian cricket team in England in 1932#Only Test match|25 June 1932]])
#{{cr|India}} ([[Indian cricket team in England in 1932#Test summary|25 June 1932]])
#{{cr|Pakistan}} ([[Pakistani cricket team in India in 1952–53#1st Test|16 October 1952]])
#{{cr|Pakistan}} ([[Pakistani cricket team in India in 1952–53#1st Test|16 October 1952]])
#{{cr|Sri Lanka}} ([[English cricket team in Sri Lanka in 1981–82#Only Test|17 February 1982]])  
#{{cr|Sri Lanka}} ([[English cricket team in Sri Lanka in 1981–82#Only Test|17 February 1982]])  
#{{cr|Zimbabwe}} ([[Indian cricket team in Zimbabwe in 1992–93#Only Test|18 October 1992]])
#{{cr|Zimbabwe}} ([[Indian cricket team in Zimbabwe in 1992–93#Only Test|18 October 1992]])
#{{cr|Bangladesh}} ([[2000–01 Bangladeshi cricket season#Indian cricket team in Bangladesh|10 November 2000]])
#{{cr|Bangladesh}} ([[Indian cricket team in Bangladesh in 2000–01#Only Test|10 November 2000]])
#{{cr|Ireland}} ([[Pakistani cricket team in Ireland in 2018#Only Test|11 May 2018]])
#{{cr|Ireland}} ([[Pakistani cricket team in Ireland in 2018#Only Test|11 May 2018]])
#{{cr|Afghanistan}} ([[Afghan cricket team in India in 2018–19#Only Test|14 June 2018]])
#{{cr|Afghanistan|2013}} ([[Afghan cricket team in India in 2018#Only Test|14 June 2018]])


Most of these teams represent independent sovereign nations. The exceptions are the England cricket team, which represents the [[countries of the UK|constituent countries]] of [[England]] and [[Wales]]; the West Indies, a combined team from fifteen Caribbean nations and territories; and Ireland, representing both the [[Republic of Ireland]] and [[Northern Ireland]].
Nine of these teams represent independent sovereign nationsthe England cricket team represents the [[countries of the United Kingdom|constituent countries]] of [[England]] and [[Wales]], the West Indies is a combined team from fifteen Caribbean nations and territories, and Ireland represents both the [[Republic of Ireland]] and [[Northern Ireland]].


Following the [[D'Oliveira affair]] in 1969, [[History of cricket in South Africa from 1970–71 to 1990|South Africa]] was suspended from all forms of cricket from 1970 until the end of the [[Apartheid|Apartheid regime]] in [[End of Apartheid|1991]].
Following the [[D'Oliveira affair]] in 1969, [[History of cricket in South Africa from 1970–71 to 1990|South Africa]] was suspended from all forms of cricket from 1970 until the end of the [[Apartheid|apartheid regime]] in [[Negotiations to end apartheid in South Africa|1991]].


Zimbabwe's Test status was voluntarily suspended in 2006 because of poor performances. Its Test status was reinstated in August 2011.<ref>[http://www.voanews.com/zimbabwe/news/Zimbabwe-Cricket-Resume-Test-Play-After-Six-Year-Break-126790218.html Zimbabwe Cricket Side Resume International Test Play After Six-Year Break] – [[Voice of America]].</ref>
Zimbabwe's Test status was voluntarily suspended in 2006 because of very poor performances, but its Test status was reinstated in August 2011.<ref>[http://www.voanews.com/zimbabwe/news/Zimbabwe-Cricket-Resume-Test-Play-After-Six-Year-Break-126790218.html Zimbabwe Cricket Side Resume International Test Play After Six-Year Break] – [[Voice of America]].</ref>


The ICC has made several proposals to reform the system of granting Test status. Unimplemented proposals include having two tiers  with [[promotion and relegation]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/content/story/1036139.html|title=NZC 'big supporter' of two-tier Test system|date=18 July 2016|publisher=ESPNcricinfo|access-date=10 August 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/afghanistan/content/story/1054077.html|title=Afghanistan ready to play Tests – ACB chief executive|date=4 September 2016|publisher=ESPNcricinfo|access-date=5 September 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/content/story/1030121.html|title=BCB vice-president against two-tier Test system|date=27 June 2016|publisher=ESPNcricinfo|access-date=10 August 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/india/content/story/1052477.html|title=BCCI against four-day Tests, two-tier system|date=31 August 2016|publisher=ESPNcricinfo|access-date=31 August 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/content/story/1022445.html|title=ICC planning two Test divisions amid major overhaul |date=1 June 2016 |publisher=ESPNcricinfo |access-date=10 August 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url =http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci-icc/content/story/1055073.html |title=Two-tier proposal shelved at ICC meeting |date=7 September 2016 |publisher=ESPNcricinfo |access-date=21 October 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite news | url = http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci-icc/content/story/1062376.html | title = Baseball-style conference structure proposed for Tests | work = ESPN Cricinfo | access-date = 21 October 2016}}</ref> or a [[play-off]] between the winners of the [[ICC Intercontinental Cup]] and the team with the lowest [[ICC Test Championship|Test ranking]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://live-cricketstreaming.com |title=Ireland and Scotland to get Test chance as ICC approves play-off |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |date=10 April 2014 |website=BBC Sport |publisher=BBC |access-date=10 April 2014}}</ref> These proposals have not been successful.
The ICC has made several proposals to reform the system of granting Test status, including having two tiers  with [[promotion and relegation]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/content/story/1036139.html|title=NZC 'big supporter' of two-tier Test system|date=18 July 2016|publisher=ESPNcricinfo|access-date=10 August 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/afghanistan/content/story/1054077.html|title=Afghanistan ready to play Tests – ACB chief executive|date=4 September 2016|publisher=ESPNcricinfo|access-date=5 September 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/content/story/1030121.html|title=BCB vice-president against two-tier Test system|date=27 June 2016|publisher=ESPNcricinfo|access-date=10 August 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/india/content/story/1052477.html|title=BCCI against four-day Tests, two-tier system|date=31 August 2016|publisher=ESPNcricinfo|access-date=31 August 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/content/story/1022445.html|title=ICC planning two Test divisions amid major overhaul |date=1 June 2016 |publisher=ESPNcricinfo |access-date=10 August 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url =http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci-icc/content/story/1055073.html |title=Two-tier proposal shelved at ICC meeting |date=7 September 2016 |publisher=ESPNcricinfo |access-date=21 October 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite news | url = http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci-icc/content/story/1062376.html | title = Baseball-style conference structure proposed for Tests | work = ESPN Cricinfo | access-date = 21 October 2016}}</ref> and/or a [[playoffs|play-off]] between the winners of the [[ICC Intercontinental Cup]] and the team with the lowest [[ICC Men's Test Team Rankings|Test ranking]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://live-cricketstreaming.com |title=Ireland and Scotland to get Test chance as ICC approves play-off |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |date=10 April 2014 |website=BBC Sport |publisher=BBC |access-date=10 April 2014}}</ref> These proposals have not been successful as of 2021.


===Statistics===
===Statistics===
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For [[cricket statistics|statistical purposes]], Tests are considered to be a subset of [[first-class cricket]]. Performances in first-class matches count towards only the first-class statistical record, but performances in Test matches count towards both the Test statistics and the first-class statistics.
For [[cricket statistics|statistical purposes]], Tests are considered to be a subset of [[first-class cricket]]. Performances in first-class matches count towards only the first-class statistical record, but performances in Test matches count towards both the Test statistics and the first-class statistics.


Statisticians have developed criteria to determine which matches count as Tests, if they were played before the formal definition of Test status. The first list of matches considered to be "Tests" was drawn up by Clarence Moody, an Australian, in the mid-1890s. Representative matches played by simultaneous England touring sides of 1891–92 ([[English cricket team in Australia in 1891–92|in Australia]] and [[English cricket team in South Africa in 1891–92|South Africa]]) and 1929–30 ([[English cricket team in the West Indies in 1929–30|in the West Indies]] and [[English cricket team in New Zealand in 1929–30|New Zealand]]) are deemed to have "Test status".
Statisticians have developed criteria to determine which matches count as Tests if they were played before the formal definition of Test status.
 
The first list of matches considered to be "Tests" was drawn up by Australian Clarence Moody in the mid-1890s. Representative matches played by simultaneous England touring sides of 1891–92 ([[English cricket team in Australia in 1891–92|in Australia]] and [[English cricket team in South Africa in 1891–92|South Africa]]) and 1929–30 ([[English cricket team in the West Indies in 1929–30|in the West Indies]] and [[English cricket team in New Zealand in 1929–30|New Zealand]]) are deemed to have Test status.
 
In 1970, a series of five "Test matches" was played in England between England and a Rest of the World XI: these matches, originally scheduled between England and South Africa, were amended after South Africa was suspended from international cricket due to their government's [[apartheid]] policies. Although initially given Test status and included as Test matches in some record books, including ''[[Wisden Cricketers' Almanack]]'', this was later withdrawn, and a principle was established that official Test matches can only be between nations (note that the geographically and demographically small countries of the West Indies have, since 1928, fielded a coalition side).  


In 1970, a series of five "Test matches" was played in England between England and a Rest of the World XI. These matches, originally scheduled between England and South Africa, were amended after South Africa was suspended from international cricket because of their government's policy of [[apartheid]]. Although initially given Test status (and included as Test matches in some record books, including ''[[Wisden Cricketers' Almanack]]''), this was later withdrawn and a principle was established that official Test matches can only be between nations (although the geographically and demographically small countries of the West Indies have since 1928 been permitted to field a coalition side). Despite this, in 2005, the ICC ruled that the six-day [[ICC Super Series 2005|Super Series]] match that took place in October 2005, between Australia and a World XI, was an official Test match. Some cricket writers and statisticians, including [[Bill Frindall]], ignored the ICC's ruling and excluded the 2005 match from their records. The series of "Test matches" played in Australia between Australia and a World XI in 1971–72 do not have Test status. The commercial "[[World Series Cricket|Supertests]]" organised by [[Kerry Packer]] as part of his [[World Series Cricket]] enterprise and played between "WSC Australia", "WSC World XI" and "WSC West Indies" from 1977 to 1979 have never been regarded as official Test matches.
Despite this principle, in 2005, the ICC ruled that the six-day [[2005 ICC Super Series|Super Series]] match that took place that October between Australia and a World XI was an official Test match: some cricket writers and statisticians, including [[Bill Frindall]], have ignored the ICC's ruling and exclude this match from their records.  
 
The series of "Test matches" played in Australia between Australia and a World XI in 1971–72, and the commercial "[[World Series Cricket|Supertests]]" organised by [[Kerry Packer]] as part of his [[World Series Cricket]] enterprise played between "WSC Australia", "WSC World XI" and "WSC West Indies" from 1977 to 1979, have never been regarded as official Test matches as of 2021.


==Conduct of the game==
==Conduct of the game==
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A standard day of Test cricket consists of three sessions of two hours each, the break between sessions being 40 minutes for lunch and 20 minutes for tea. However, the times of sessions and intervals may be altered in certain circumstances: if bad weather or a change of innings occurs close to a scheduled break, the break may be taken immediately; if there has been a loss of playing time, for example because of bad weather, the session times may be adjusted to make up the lost time; if the batting side is nine [[dismissal (cricket)|wickets]] down at the scheduled tea break, then the interval may be delayed until either 30 minutes has elapsed or the team is ''all out'';<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.lords.org/laws-and-spirit/laws-of-cricket/laws/law-15-intervals,41,AR.html |title=The Laws of Cricket – Law 15.8 |publisher=Lords.org |access-date=18 July 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121124062128/http://www.lords.org/laws-and-spirit/laws-of-cricket/laws/law-15-intervals,41,AR.html |archive-date=24 November 2012  }}</ref> the final session may be extended by up to 30 minutes if 90 or more [[over (cricket)|overs]] have not been [[bowling (cricket)|bowled]] in that day's play (subject to any reduction for adverse weather);<ref>{{cite web |url=http://l.yimg.com/t/icccricket/pdfs/test_playing_conditions.pdf |title=ICC Standard Test match Playing Conditions ("Playing Conditions") cl 16.1.1 |access-date=18 July 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120111201928/http://l.yimg.com/t/icccricket/pdfs/test_playing_conditions.pdf |archive-date=11 January 2012  }}</ref> the final session may be extended by 30 minutes (except on the 5th day) if the umpires believe the result can be decided within that time.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://l.yimg.com/t/icccricket/pdfs/test_playing_conditions.pdf |title=Playing Conditions cl 16.2 |access-date=18 July 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120111201928/http://l.yimg.com/t/icccricket/pdfs/test_playing_conditions.pdf |archive-date=11 January 2012  }}</ref>
A standard day of Test cricket consists of three sessions of two hours each, the break between sessions being 40 minutes for lunch and 20 minutes for tea. However, the times of sessions and intervals may be altered in certain circumstances: if bad weather or a change of innings occurs close to a scheduled break, the break may be taken immediately; if there has been a loss of playing time, for example because of bad weather, the session times may be adjusted to make up the lost time; if the batting side is nine [[dismissal (cricket)|wickets]] down at the scheduled tea break, then the interval may be delayed until either 30 minutes has elapsed or the team is ''all out'';<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.lords.org/laws-and-spirit/laws-of-cricket/laws/law-15-intervals,41,AR.html |title=The Laws of Cricket – Law 15.8 |publisher=Lords.org |access-date=18 July 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121124062128/http://www.lords.org/laws-and-spirit/laws-of-cricket/laws/law-15-intervals,41,AR.html |archive-date=24 November 2012  }}</ref> the final session may be extended by up to 30 minutes if 90 or more [[over (cricket)|overs]] have not been [[bowling (cricket)|bowled]] in that day's play (subject to any reduction for adverse weather);<ref>{{cite web |url=http://l.yimg.com/t/icccricket/pdfs/test_playing_conditions.pdf |title=ICC Standard Test match Playing Conditions ("Playing Conditions") cl 16.1.1 |access-date=18 July 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120111201928/http://l.yimg.com/t/icccricket/pdfs/test_playing_conditions.pdf |archive-date=11 January 2012  }}</ref> the final session may be extended by 30 minutes (except on the 5th day) if the umpires believe the result can be decided within that time.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://l.yimg.com/t/icccricket/pdfs/test_playing_conditions.pdf |title=Playing Conditions cl 16.2 |access-date=18 July 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120111201928/http://l.yimg.com/t/icccricket/pdfs/test_playing_conditions.pdf |archive-date=11 January 2012  }}</ref>


Today, Test matches are scheduled to be played across five consecutive days. However, in the [[History of Test cricket (to 1883)|early days]] of Test cricket, matches were played for three or four days. Four-day Test matches were last played in 1973, between [[Pakistani cricket team in New Zealand in 1972–73|New Zealand and Pakistan]].<ref name="NZPak">{{cite web |url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/story/_/id/21814480/cremer-senses-opportunity-shorter-contest |title=Cremer senses opportunity in shorter contest |access-date=19 December 2017 |work=ESPN Cricinfo}}</ref> Until the 1980s, it was usual to include a 'rest day,' often a Sunday. There have also been '[[Timeless Test]]s', which have no predetermined maximum time. In 2005, Australia played a match scheduled for six days against a World XI, which the ICC sanctioned as an official Test match, though the match reached a conclusion on the fourth day. In October 2017, the ICC approved a request for a four-day Test match, between [[Zimbabwean cricket team in South Africa in 2017–18#Only Test|South Africa and Zimbabwe]], which started on 26 December 2017 and ended on the second day, 27 December.<ref name="approve">{{cite web |url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/story/_/id/21006055/test-odi-leagues-approved-icc-board |title=Test, ODI leagues approved by ICC Board |access-date=13 October 2017 |work=ESPN Cricinfo}}</ref> The ICC trialed the four-day Test format until the [[2019 Cricket World Cup]].<ref name="trial">{{cite web |url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/story/_/id/21008545/south-africa-play-zimbawe-inaugural-four-day-test |title=South Africa to play Zimbabwe in inaugural four-day Test |access-date=13 October 2017 |work=ESPN Cricinfo}}</ref> In December 2019, [[Cricket Australia]] were considering playing four-day Tests, subject to consensus with other Test nations.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.thenational.ae/sport/cricket/australian-cricket-board-to-seriously-consider-four-day-test-matches-1.957158 |title=Australian cricket board to 'seriously consider' four-day Test matches |work=The National |access-date=28 December 2019}}</ref> Later the same month, the ICC considered the possibility of making four-day Test matches mandatory for the [[ICC World Test Championship]] from 2023.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/_/id/28394321/icc-consider-mandatory-four-day-tests |title=ICC to consider mandatory four-day Tests |work=ESPN Cricinfo |access-date=30 December 2019}}</ref>
Today, Test matches are scheduled to be played across five consecutive days. However, in the [[History of Test cricket from 1877 to 1883|early days]] of Test cricket, matches were played for three or four days. Four-day Test matches were last played in 1973, between [[Pakistani cricket team in New Zealand in 1972–73|New Zealand and Pakistan]].<ref name="NZPak">{{cite web |url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/story/_/id/21814480/cremer-senses-opportunity-shorter-contest |title=Cremer senses opportunity in shorter contest |access-date=19 December 2017 |work=ESPN Cricinfo}}</ref> Until the 1980s, it was usual to include a 'rest day,' often a Sunday. There have also been '[[Timeless Test]]s', which have no predetermined maximum time. In 2005, Australia played a match scheduled for six days against a World XI, which the ICC sanctioned as an official Test match, though the match reached a conclusion on the fourth day. In October 2017, the ICC approved a request for a four-day Test match, between [[Zimbabwean cricket team in South Africa in 2017–18#Only Test|South Africa and Zimbabwe]], which started on 26 December 2017 and ended on the second day, 27 December.<ref name="approve">{{cite web |url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/story/_/id/21006055/test-odi-leagues-approved-icc-board |title=Test, ODI leagues approved by ICC Board |access-date=13 October 2017 |work=ESPN Cricinfo}}</ref> The ICC trialed the four-day Test format until the [[2019 Cricket World Cup]].<ref name="trial">{{cite web |url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/story/_/id/21008545/south-africa-play-zimbawe-inaugural-four-day-test |title=South Africa to play Zimbabwe in inaugural four-day Test |access-date=13 October 2017 |work=ESPN Cricinfo}}</ref> In December 2019, [[Cricket Australia]] were considering playing four-day Tests, subject to consensus with other Test nations.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.thenational.ae/sport/cricket/australian-cricket-board-to-seriously-consider-four-day-test-matches-1.957158 |title=Australian cricket board to 'seriously consider' four-day Test matches |work=The National |date=28 December 2019 |access-date=28 December 2019}}</ref> Later the same month, the ICC considered the possibility of making four-day Test matches mandatory for the [[ICC World Test Championship]] from 2023.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/_/id/28394321/icc-consider-mandatory-four-day-tests |title=ICC to consider mandatory four-day Tests |work=ESPN Cricinfo |access-date=30 December 2019}}</ref>


There have been attempts by the ICC, the sport's governing body, to introduce day-night Test matches.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/england/content/story/397240.html |title=Lord's could host first day night Test in May 2010 |publisher=ESPNcricinfo |access-date=18 July 2013}}</ref> In 2012, the International Cricket Council passed playing conditions that allowed for the staging of day-night Test matches.<ref name="ICC paves way for Day-Night Tests"/> The first day-night Test took place during [[New Zealand cricket team in Australia in 2015–16|New Zealand's tour to Australia]] in November 2015.<ref name="Adelaide" />
There have been attempts by the ICC, the sport's governing body, to introduce day-night Test matches.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/england/content/story/397240.html |title=Lord's could host first day night Test in May 2010 |publisher=ESPNcricinfo |access-date=18 July 2013}}</ref> In 2012, the International Cricket Council passed playing conditions that allowed for the staging of day-night Test matches.<ref name="ICC paves way for Day-Night Tests"/> The first day-night Test took place during [[New Zealand cricket team in Australia in 2015–16|New Zealand's tour to Australia]] in November 2015.<ref name="Adelaide" />
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{{further|Cricket#Laws and gameplay}}
{{further|Cricket#Laws and gameplay}}


Test cricket is played in ''innings'' (the word denotes both the singular and the plural). In each innings, one team [[Batting (cricket)|bats]] and the other [[Bowling (cricket)|bowls]] (or [[Fielding (cricket)|fields]]). Ordinarily four innings are played in a Test match, and each team bats twice and bowls twice. Before the start of play on the first day, the two team captains and the match referee [[the toss|toss a coin]]; the captain who wins the toss decides whether his team will bat or bowl first.
Test cricket is played in ''innings'' (the word denotes both the singular and the plural). In each innings, one team [[batting (cricket)|bats]] and the other [[bowling (cricket)|bowls]] (or [[fielding (cricket)|fields]]). Ordinarily four innings are played in a Test match, and each team bats twice and bowls twice. Before the start of play on the first day, the two team captains and the match referee [[toss (cricket)|toss a coin]]; the captain who wins the toss decides whether his team will bat or bowl first.


In the following scenarios, the team that bats first is referred to as ''Team A'' and their opponents as ''Team B''.
In the following scenarios, the team that bats first is referred to as ''Team A'' and their opponents as ''Team B''.
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* The prescribed time for the match expires.
* The prescribed time for the match expires.


If, at the completion of Team B's first innings, Team A leads by at least 200 runs, the captain of Team A may (but is not required to) order Team B to have ''their'' second innings next. This is called enforcing the [[follow on]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.lords.org/mcc/laws-of-cricket/laws/law-14-the-follow-on/ |title=Law 14 – The follow-on |publisher=MCC |access-date=29 September 2017}}</ref> In this case, the usual order of the third and fourth innings is reversed: Team A will bat in the fourth innings. It is rare for a team forced to follow on to win the match. In Test cricket it has only happened three times, although over 285 follow-ons have been enforced: Australia was the losing team on each occasion, twice to England, in 1894 and in 1981, and once to India in 2001.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://howstat.com/cricket/Statistics/Matches/MatchFollowOn.asp?FollowOn=T&Result=Lost |title=HowSTAT! Winning after Following-On |publisher=Howstat.com |access-date=22 December 2017}}</ref>
If, at the completion of Team B's first innings, Team A leads by at least 200 runs, the captain of Team A may (but is not required to) order Team B to have ''their'' second innings next. This is called enforcing the [[follow-on]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.lords.org/mcc/laws-of-cricket/laws/law-14-the-follow-on/ |title=Law 14 – The follow-on |publisher=MCC |access-date=29 September 2017}}</ref> In this case, the usual order of the third and fourth innings is reversed: Team A will bat in the fourth innings. It is rare for a team forced to follow-on to win the match. In Test cricket it has only happened three times, although over 285 follow-ons have been enforced: Australia was the losing team on each occasion, twice to England, in 1894 and in 1981, and once to India in 2001.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://howstat.com/cricket/Statistics/Matches/MatchFollowOn.asp?FollowOn=T&Result=Lost |title=HowSTAT! Winning after Following-On |publisher=Howstat.com |access-date=22 December 2017}}</ref>


If the whole of the first day's play of a Test match has been lost because of bad weather or other reasons like bad light, then Team A may enforce the follow on if Team B's first innings total is 150 or more fewer than Team A's. During the [[New Zealand cricket team in England in 2013#2nd Test|2nd Test]] between England and New Zealand at [[Headingley Cricket Ground|Headingley]] in 2013, England batted first after the first day was lost because of rain.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/current/match/566922.html |title=2nd Test: England v New Zealand at Leeds, May 24–28, 2013 &#124; Cricket Scorecard |publisher=ESPNcricinfo |access-date=18 July 2013}}</ref> New Zealand, batting second, scored 180 runs fewer than England, meaning England could have enforced the follow on, though chose not to. This is similar to four-day first-class cricket, where the follow on can be enforced if the difference is 150 runs or more fewer. If the Test is 2 days or fewer then the "follow-on" value is 100 runs.
If the whole of the first day's play of a Test match has been lost because of bad weather or other reasons like bad light, then Team A may enforce the follow-on if Team B's first innings total is 150 or more fewer than Team A's. During the [[New Zealand cricket team in England in 2013#2nd Test|2nd Test]] between England and New Zealand at [[Headingley Cricket Ground|Headingley]] in 2013, England batted first after the first day was lost because of rain.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/current/match/566922.html |title=2nd Test: England v New Zealand at Leeds, May 24–28, 2013 &#124; Cricket Scorecard |publisher=ESPNcricinfo |access-date=18 July 2013}}</ref> New Zealand, batting second, scored 180 runs fewer than England, meaning England could have enforced the follow-on, though chose not to. This is similar to four-day first-class cricket, where the follow-on can be enforced if the difference is 150 runs or more. If the Test is 2 days or fewer then the "follow-on" value is 100 runs.


After 80 overs, the captain of the bowling side may take a [[Cricket ball|new ball]], although this is not required.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.lords.org/mcc/laws-of-cricket/laws/law-4-the-ball/ |title=Law 4 – The ball |publisher=MCC |access-date=29 September 2017}}</ref> The captain will usually take the new ball: being harder and smoother than an old ball, a new ball generally favours faster bowlers who can make it bounce more variably. The roughened, softer surface of an old ball can be more conducive to spin bowlers, or those using [[reverse swing]]. The captain may delay the decision to take the new ball if he wishes to continue with his spinners (because the pitch favours spin). After a new ball has been taken, should an innings last a further 80 overs, then the captain will have the option to take another new ball.
After 80 overs, the captain of the bowling side may take a [[Cricket ball|new ball]], although this is not required.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.lords.org/mcc/laws-of-cricket/laws/law-4-the-ball/ |title=Law 4 – The ball |publisher=MCC |access-date=29 September 2017}}</ref> The captain will usually take the new ball: being harder and smoother than an old ball, a new ball generally favours faster bowlers who can make it bounce more variably. The roughened, softer surface of an old ball can be more conducive to spin bowlers, or those using [[swing bowling#Reverse swing|reverse swing]]. The captain may delay the decision to take the new ball if he wishes to continue with his spinners (because the pitch favours spin). After a new ball has been taken, should an innings last a further 80 overs, then the captain will have the option to take another new ball.


A Test match will produce a [[Result (cricket)|result]] by means of one of six scenarios:
A Test match will produce a [[Result (cricket)|result]] by means of one of six scenarios:
*'''All four innings are complete.''' The team batting fourth are ''all out'' before overtaking the other team, usually before matching the other team's score. The team that batted third are the winners by a margin equal to the difference in the aggregate runs scored by the two teams (for example, "Team A won by 95 runs"). Very rarely (in over 2,000 Test matches played, [[Tied Test|it has only happened twice]]) the scores can end level, resulting in a [[Tie (cricket)|tie]].
*'''All four innings are complete.''' The team batting fourth are ''all out'' before overtaking the other team, usually before matching the other team's score. The team that batted third are the winners by a margin equal to the difference in the aggregate runs scored by the two teams (for example, "Team A won by 95 runs"). Very rarely (in over 2,000 Test matches played, [[Tied Test|it has only happened twice]]) the scores can end level, resulting in a [[Result (cricket)#Tie|tie]].
*'''The team batting in the fourth innings overtakes the opposing team's run total.''' The match ends, and the team batting fourth is the winner by a margin equal to the number of wickets still to fall in the innings (for example, "Team B won by five wickets").
*'''The team batting in the fourth innings overtakes the opposing team's run total.''' The match ends, and the team batting fourth is the winner by a margin equal to the number of wickets still to fall in the innings (for example, "Team B won by five wickets").
*'''The third innings concludes with the team that batted twice still trailing the team that batted once.''' The match ends without playing a fourth innings. The team that batted only once is the winner by a margin equal to "an innings" plus the difference in aggregate run totals of the teams (for example, "Team A won by an innings and 26 runs").
*'''The third innings concludes with the team that batted twice still trailing the team that batted once.''' The match ends without playing a fourth innings. The team that batted only once is the winner by a margin equal to "an innings" plus the difference in aggregate run totals of the teams (for example, "Team A won by an innings and 26 runs").
*'''Time for the match expires without a result being reached.''' This usually occurs at the end of the last day of the match. The result is a [[Draw (cricket)|draw]]: there is no winner, no matter how superior the position of one of the sides. Rain causing a loss of playing time is a common factor in drawn matches, although matches may be drawn even without interference from the weather: usually as a result of poor time management or an intentional effort on the part of one team to avoid losing.
*'''Time for the match expires without a result being reached.''' This usually occurs at the end of the last day of the match. The result is a [[Result (cricket)#Draw|draw]]: there is no winner, no matter how superior the position of one of the sides. Rain causing a loss of playing time is a common factor in drawn matches, although matches may be drawn even without interference from the weather: usually as a result of poor time management or an intentional effort on the part of one team to avoid losing.
*'''The match is abandoned because the ground is declared unfit for play.'''  This has occurred three times, resulting each time in a draw being declared: England v Australia at [[Headingley Cricket Ground|Headingley]], [[Leeds]], 1975 (vandalism);<ref>{{cite news| url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/onthisday/hi/dates/stories/august/19/newsid_2534000/2534763.stm |work=BBC News  | title=On This Day: 19 August | access-date=18 December 2010}}</ref> West Indies v England at [[Sabina Park]], [[Kingston, Jamaica]], 1998 (dangerous ground);<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/current/match/63783.html |title=1st Test: West Indies v England at Kingston, Jan 29 – Feb 2, 1998 &#124; Cricket Scorecard |publisher=ESPNcricinfo |access-date=18 July 2013}}</ref> West Indies v England at [[Sir Vivian Richards Stadium]], [[Antigua]], 2009 (dangerous ground).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/wiveng2009/engine/current/match/352662.html |title=2nd Test: West Indies v England at North Sound, Feb 13–17, 2009 &#124; Cricket Scorecard |publisher=ESPNcricinfo |access-date=18 July 2013}}</ref>
*'''The match is abandoned because the ground is declared unfit for play.'''  This has occurred three times, resulting each time in a draw being declared: England v Australia at [[Headingley Cricket Ground|Headingley]], [[Leeds]], 1975 (vandalism);<ref>{{cite news| url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/onthisday/hi/dates/stories/august/19/newsid_2534000/2534763.stm |work=BBC News  | title=On This Day: 19 August | access-date=18 December 2010}}</ref> West Indies v England at [[Sabina Park]], [[Kingston, Jamaica]], 1998 (dangerous ground);<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/current/match/63783.html |title=1st Test: West Indies v England at Kingston, Jan 29 – Feb 2, 1998 &#124; Cricket Scorecard |publisher=ESPNcricinfo |access-date=18 July 2013}}</ref> West Indies v England at [[Sir Vivian Richards Stadium]], [[Antigua]], 2009 (dangerous ground).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/wiveng2009/engine/current/match/352662.html |title=2nd Test: West Indies v England at North Sound, Feb 13–17, 2009 &#124; Cricket Scorecard |publisher=ESPNcricinfo |access-date=18 July 2013}}</ref>
*'''The match is awarded through a forfeiture.''' If a team refuses to take the field of play, the umpires may award the match to the opposing team.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.lords.org/mcc/laws-of-cricket/laws/law-16-the-result/ |title=Law 16 – The result |publisher=MCC |access-date=29 June 2017}}</ref> This has only happened once in Test cricket, in the [[Ball tampering controversy in August 2006|2006 fourth Test between England and Pakistan]].<ref>{{cite news| url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2009/feb/01/england-pakistan-oval |work=The Guardian | location=London | title=England awarded abandoned Oval Test 'win' | date=1 February 2009 | access-date=27 March 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite news| url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/cricket/england/5268560.stm |work=BBC News  | title=Test abandoned after ball dispute | date=20 August 2006 | access-date=27 March 2010}}</ref>
*'''The match is awarded through a forfeiture.''' If a team refuses to take the field of play, the umpires may award the match to the opposing team.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.lords.org/mcc/laws-of-cricket/laws/law-16-the-result/ |title=Law 16 – The result |publisher=MCC |access-date=29 June 2017}}</ref> This has only happened once in Test cricket, in the [[2006 ball-tampering controversy|2006 fourth Test between England and Pakistan]].<ref>{{cite news| url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2009/feb/01/england-pakistan-oval |work=The Guardian | location=London | title=England awarded abandoned Oval Test 'win' | date=1 February 2009 | access-date=27 March 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite news| url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/cricket/england/5268560.stm |work=BBC News  | title=Test abandoned after ball dispute | date=20 August 2006 | access-date=27 March 2010}}</ref>


==Competitions==
==Competitions==
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Test cricket is almost always played as a series of matches between two countries, with all matches in the series taking place in the same country (the host). Often there is a perpetual trophy that is awarded to the winner, the most famous of which is [[the Ashes]] contested between England and Australia. There have been two exceptions to the bilateral nature of Test cricket: the [[1912 Triangular Tournament]], a three-way competition between England, Australia and South Africa (hosted by England), and the [[Asian Test Championship]], an event held in 1998–99 and 2001–02.
Test cricket is almost always played as a series of matches between two countries, with all matches in the series taking place in the same country (the host). Often there is a perpetual trophy that is awarded to the winner, the most famous of which is [[the Ashes]] contested between England and Australia. There have been two exceptions to the bilateral nature of Test cricket: the [[1912 Triangular Tournament]], a three-way competition between England, Australia and South Africa (hosted by England), and the [[Asian Test Championship]], an event held in 1998–99 and 2001–02.


The number of matches in Test series has varied from one to seven.<ref name="Seven tests">{{cite web|url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/current/match/63065.html |title=Australia v England, Seventh Test, 1970–71 |publisher=ESPNcricinfo |access-date=18 July 2013}}</ref> Up until the early 1990s,<ref name="Neutral umpires">{{cite web|url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/magazine/content/story/511175.html|title=Neutral umpires|last=Rajesh|first=S.|date=16 April 2011|publisher=ESPNcricinfo|access-date=30 March 2012}}</ref> Test series between international teams were organised between the two national cricket organisations with [[Umpire (cricket)|umpires]] provided by the home team. With the entry of more countries into Test cricket, and a wish by the ICC to maintain public interest in Tests in the face of the popularity of [[one-day cricket]], a rotation system was introduced that sees all ten Test teams playing each other over a six-year cycle, and an official [[ICC Test Championship|ranking system]] (with a trophy held by the highest-ranked team). In this system, umpires are provided by the ICC. An [[Elite Panel of ICC Umpires|elite panel of eleven umpires]] was maintained since 2002, and the panel is supplemented by an additional [[ICC International umpire panel|International Panel]] that includes three umpires named by each Test-playing country. The elite umpires officiate almost all Test matches, though usually not Tests involving their home country.
The number of matches in Test series has varied from one to seven.<ref name="Seven tests">{{cite web|url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/current/match/63065.html |title=Australia v England, Seventh Test, 1970–71 |publisher=ESPNcricinfo |access-date=18 July 2013}}</ref> Up until the early 1990s,<ref name="Neutral umpires">{{cite web|url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/magazine/content/story/511175.html|title=Neutral umpires|last=Rajesh|first=S.|date=16 April 2011|publisher=ESPNcricinfo|access-date=30 March 2012}}</ref> Test series between international teams were organised between the two national cricket organisations with [[Umpire (cricket)|umpires]] provided by the home team. With the entry of more countries into Test cricket, and a wish by the ICC to maintain public interest in Tests in the face of the popularity of [[One Day International|One Day International cricket]], a rotation system was introduced that sees all ten Test teams playing each other over a six-year cycle, and an official [[ICC Men's Test Team Rankings|ranking system]] (with a trophy held by the highest-ranked team). In this system, umpires are provided by the ICC. An [[Elite Panel of ICC Umpires|elite panel of eleven umpires]] was maintained since 2002, and the panel is supplemented by an additional [[International Panel of ICC Umpires|International Panel]] that includes three umpires named by each Test-playing country. The elite umpires officiate almost all Test matches, though usually not Tests involving their home country.


====Perpetual trophies====
====Perpetual trophies====
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! Name of trophy !! Team 1 !! Team 2 !! First contested !! Latest contested
! Name of trophy !! Team 1 !! Team 2 !! First contested !! Latest contested
|-
|-
| [[The Ashes]] || {{cr|ENG}} || {{cr|AUS}} || [[History of Test cricket from 1877 to 1883#Bligh reclaims the Ashes 1882/3|1882–83]] || [[2019 Ashes series|2019]]
| [[The Ashes]] || {{cr|ENG}} || {{cr|AUS}} || [[English cricket team in Australia in 1882–83|1882–83]] || [[2021–22 Ashes series|2021–22]]
|-
|-
| [[Anthony De Mello Trophy]]{{ref label|rounding|A|A}} || {{cr|IND}} ||{{cr|ENG}} || 1951<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thehindu.com/sport/cricket/indiaengland-series-played-for-anthony-de-mello-trophy-bcci/article4071143.ece |title=India-England series played for Anthony De Mello trophy: BCCI |date=6 November 2012 |access-date=3 June 2016}}</ref> || [[English cricket team in India in 2020-21|2020-21]]
| [[Anthony de Mello Trophy]]{{ref label|rounding|A|A}} || {{cr|IND}} || {{cr|ENG}} || [[English cricket team in India, Pakistan and Ceylon in 1951–52|1951–52]]<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.thehindu.com/sport/cricket/indiaengland-series-played-for-anthony-de-mello-trophy-bcci/article4071143.ece |title=India-England series played for Anthony De Mello trophy: BCCI |newspaper=The Hindu |date=6 November 2012 |access-date=3 June 2016}}</ref> || [[English cricket team in India in 2020–21|2020–21]]
|-
|-
| [[Frank Worrell Trophy]] || {{cr|WIN}} || {{cr|AUS}} || [[West Indian cricket team in Australia in 1960–61|1960–61]] || [[West Indies cricket team in Australia in 2015|2015]]
| [[Frank Worrell Trophy]]|| {{cr|WIN}} || {{cr|AUS}} || [[West Indian cricket team in Australia in 1960–61|1960–61]] || [[West Indian cricket team in Australia in 2015–16|2015–16]]
|-
|-
|[[Richards-Botham Trophy|Richards – Botham Trophy]] || {{cr|WIN}} ||{{cr|ENG}} || [[West Indian cricket team in England in 1963|1963]] || [[West Indian cricket team in England in 2020|2020]]
| [[Wisden Trophy]]{{ref label|rounding|B|B}}  || {{cr|WIN}} || {{cr|ENG}} || [[West Indian cricket team in England in 1963|1963]] || [[West Indian cricket team in England in 2020|2020]]
|-
|-
| [[Trans-Tasman Trophy]] || {{cr|NZ}} || {{cr|AUS}} || [[New Zealand cricket team in Australia in 1985–86|1985–86]] || [[New Zealand cricket team in Australia in 2019-20|2019–20]]
| [[Trans-Tasman Trophy]] || {{cr|NZ}} || {{cr|AUS}} || [[New Zealand cricket team in Australia in 1985–86|1985–86]] || [[New Zealand cricket team in Australia in 2019–20|2019–20]]
|-
|-
| [[Border–Gavaskar Trophy|Border – Gavaskar Trophy]] || {{cr|AUS}} || {{cr|IND}} || [[Border–Gavaskar Trophy#1996–97 one-off Test|1996–97]] || [[Border-Gavaskar Trophy#2020-21 series|2020–21]]
| [[Border–Gavaskar Trophy]] || {{cr|AUS}} || {{cr|IND}} || [[Australian cricket team in India in 1996–97|1996–97]] || [[Indian cricket team in Australia in 2020–21|2020–21]]
|-
|-
| [[Southern Cross Trophy]] || {{cr|AUS}} || {{cr|ZIM}} || [[Australian cricket team in Zimbabwe in 1999–2000|1999]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/match/63851.html |title=Southern Cross Trophy, 1999/00 |access-date=3 June 2016}}</ref> ||[[Zimbabwean cricket team in Australia in 2003–04|2003]]
| [[Southern Cross Trophy]] || {{cr|AUS}} || {{cr|ZIM}} || [[Australian cricket team in Zimbabwe in 1999–2000|1999–2000]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/match/63851.html |title=Southern Cross Trophy, 1999/00 |access-date=3 June 2016}}</ref> ||[[Zimbabwean cricket team in Australia in 2003–04|2003–04]]
|-
|-
| [[Sir Vivian Richards Trophy]] || {{cr|WIN}} || {{cr|SA}} ||2000–01<ref>{{cite web|url=http://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/stats/index.html?bowling_pacespin=1;class=1;filter=advanced;filter_box=series;home_or_away=1;orderby=wickets;type=team |title=Statistics / Statsguru / Test matches / Team records |access-date=3 June 2016}}</ref> || [[West Indies cricket team in South Africa in 2014-15|2016]]
| [[Sir Vivian Richards Trophy]] || {{cr|WIN}} || {{cr|SA}} || [[South African cricket team in the West Indies in 2000–01|2000–01]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/stats/index.html?bowling_pacespin=1;class=1;filter=advanced;filter_box=series;home_or_away=1;orderby=wickets;type=team |title=Statistics / Statsguru / Test matches / Team records |access-date=3 June 2016}}</ref> || [[South African cricket team in the West Indies in 2021|2021]]
|-
|-
| [[Clive Lloyd Trophy]] || {{cr|WIN}} || {{cr|ZIM}} || 2001<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/content/story/102043.html |title=Test trophy to be named after Clive Lloyd |date=28 July 2001 |access-date=3 June 2016}}</ref> ||[[West Indian cricket team in Zimbabwe in 2017–18|2017]]
| [[Clive Lloyd Trophy]] || {{cr|WIN}} || {{cr|ZIM}} || [[West Indian cricket team in Zimbabwe in 2001|2001]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/content/story/102043.html |title=Test trophy to be named after Clive Lloyd |date=28 July 2001 |access-date=3 June 2016}}</ref> || [[West Indian cricket team in Zimbabwe in 2017–18|2017–18]]
|-
|-
| [[Basil D'Oliveira Trophy]] || {{cr|SA}} || {{cr|ENG}} || [[International cricket in 2004–05#England in South Africa|2004–05]] || [[English cricket team in South Africa in 2019–20|2019–20]]
| [[Basil D'Oliveira Trophy]] || {{cr|SA}} || {{cr|ENG}} || [[English cricket team in South Africa in 2004–05|2004–05]] || [[English cricket team in South Africa in 2019–20|2019–20]]
|-
|-
| [[Pataudi Trophy]]{{ref label|rounding|A|A}} || {{cr|IND}} || {{cr|ENG}} || [[Indian cricket team in England in 2007|2007]] || [[Indian cricket team in England in 2018|2018]]
| [[Pataudi Trophy]]{{ref label|rounding|A|A}} || {{cr|IND}} || {{cr|ENG}} || [[Indian cricket team in England in 2007|2007]] || [[Indian cricket team in England in 2018|2018]]
|-
|-
| [[Warne–Muralidaran Trophy|Warne – Muralidaran Trophy]] || {{cr|SL}} ||{{cr|AUS}} || [[Sri Lankan cricket team in Australia in 2007–08|2007–08]] || [[Sri Lankan cricket team in Australia in 2018-19|2018–19]]
| [[Warne–Muralitharan Trophy]] || {{cr|SL}} || {{cr|AUS}} || [[Sri Lankan cricket team in Australia in 2007–08|2007–08]] || [[Sri Lankan cricket team in Australia in 2018–19|2018–19]]
|-
|-
| [[Freedom Trophy (cricket)|Freedom Trophy]] (Gandhi-Mandela Trophy) ||{{cr|IND}} || {{cr|SA}} || [[South African cricket team in India in 2015–16|2015–16]] || [[South African cricket team in India in 2019–20|2019–20]]
| [[Freedom Trophy (cricket)|The Freedom Trophy]] ||{{cr|IND}} || {{cr|SA}} || [[South African cricket team in India in 2015–16|2015–16]] || [[South African cricket team in India in 2019–20|2019–20]]
|-
|-
| [[Sobers–Tissera Trophy|Sobers – Tissera Trophy]] || {{cr|WIN}} || {{cr|SL}} || [[West Indian cricket team in Sri Lanka in 2015–16|2015–16]] || [[Sri Lankan cricket team in the West Indies in 2018|2018]]
| [[Sobers–Tissera Trophy]] || {{cr|WIN}} || {{cr|SL}} || [[West Indian cricket team in Sri Lanka in 2015–16|2015–16]] || [[West Indian cricket team in Sri Lanka in 2021–22|2021–22]]
|-
|-
| [[Ganguly–Durjoy Trophy|Ganguly – Durjoy Trophy]] || {{cr|IND}} || {{cr|BAN}} ||[[Bangladeshi cricket team in India in 2016–17|2017]]<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.cricketcountry.com/news/india-vs-bangladesh-2016-test-series-to-be-named-ganguly-durjoy-trophy-451484|title=India vs Bangladesh 2016 Test series to be named Ganguly-Durjoy Trophy |date=26 May 2016 |access-date=22 December 2017 }}</ref> ||[[Bangladeshi cricket team in India in 2019–20|2019–20]]
| [[Ganguly–Durjoy Trophy]] || {{cr|IND}} || {{cr|BAN}} ||[[Bangladeshi cricket team in India in 2016–17|2016–17]]<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.cricketcountry.com/news/india-vs-bangladesh-2016-test-series-to-be-named-ganguly-durjoy-trophy-451484|title=India vs Bangladesh 2016 Test series to be named Ganguly-Durjoy Trophy |date=26 May 2016 |access-date=22 December 2017 }}</ref> ||[[Bangladeshi cricket team in India in 2019–20|2019–20]]
|-
| [[Benaud–Qadir Trophy]] || {{cr|PAK}} || {{cr|AUS}} ||[[Australian cricket team in Pakistan in 2021–22|2021-22]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.pcb.com.pk/press-release-detail/pakistan-and-australia-to-play-for-benaud-qadir-trophy.html |title=Pakistan and Australia to play for Benaud-Qadir Trophy |work=Pakistan Cricket Board |access-date=3 March 2022}}</ref> || [[Australian cricket team in Pakistan in 2021–22|2021-22]]
|-
| [[Richards–Botham Trophy]]{{ref label|rounding|B|B}} || {{cr|WIN}} || {{cr|ENG}} || [[English cricket team in the West Indies in 2021–22#Test_series|2021-22]] || [[English cricket team in the West Indies in 2021–22#Test_series|2021-22]]
|}
|}
{| style="margin: 1em auto;" align="left"
{| style="margin: 1em auto;" align="left"
|-
|-
|{{note label|rounding|A|A}} The Anthony De Mello Trophy is awarded for India–England test series played in India, whilst the Pataudi Trophy is for series played in England.
|{{note label|rounding|A|A}} The Anthony De Mello Trophy is awarded for India–England test series played in India, whilst the Pataudi Trophy is for series played in England.
|-
|{{note label|rounding|B|B}} The Wisden Trophy was retired in 2020 and replaced by the Richards-Botham Trophy in 2021-22.
|}{{clear}}
|}{{clear}}
====Number of Perpetual Trophies contested by team====
{| class="sortable wikitable"
|-
! width="80pt"|Trophy
! width="80pt"|Team
|-
!scope="row"|{{cr|AUS}}
|7
|-
!scope="row"|{{cr|ENG}}
|rowspan="3"|5
|-
!scope="row"|{{cr|IND}}
|-
!scope="row"|{{cr|WIN}}
|-
!scope="row"|{{cr|SAF}}
|3
|-
!scope="row"|{{cr|SL}}
|rowspan="2"|2
|-
!scope="row"|{{cr|ZIM}}
|-
!scope="row"|{{cr|BAN}}
|1
|-
!scope="row"|{{cr|NZL}}
|1
|-
!scope="row"|{{cr|PAK}}
|1
|-
|}


===International Test rankings===
===International Test rankings===
{{main|ICC Test Championship}}
{{main|ICC Men's Test Team Rankings}}


The twelve Test-playing nations are currently ranked as follows:
The twelve Test-playing nations are currently ranked as follows:
{{ICC Test Championship rankings}}
{{ICC Men's Test Team Rankings}}


===World Test Championship===
===World Test Championship===
{{main|ICC World Test Championship}}
{{main|ICC World Test Championship}}


A league competition for Test cricket began in [[2019–21 ICC World Test Championship|2019–21]]. Arranged as a bilateral series in various countries with one team as host and another team as visitor. The length of each series varies between 2 and 5 matches. Ireland, Zimbabwe and Afghanistan are not taking part in this competition, but instead play a program of Test matches with each other and other teams during the same period.
After years of delays since proposals began in 2009, a league competition for Test cricket was held in [[2019–2021 ICC World Test Championship|2019–2021]]. Arranged as a bilateral series in various countries with one team as host and another team as visitor. The length of each series varies between 2 and 5 matches. Ireland, Zimbabwe and Afghanistan are not taking part in this competition, but instead play a program of Test matches with each other and other teams during the same period.


===Final results===
===Final results===
Line 160: Line 209:
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align: center"
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align: center"
!rowspan=2 width=70pt |Year
!rowspan=2 width=70pt |Year
! colspan="8" |Final
! colspan="5" |Final Statistics
! colspan="5" |Tournament Statistics
|-
|-
!width=20% | Venue
!width=20% | Venue
Line 168: Line 218:
!width=100pt | Player of the Match  
!width=100pt | Player of the Match  
!width=100pt | Most Runs
!width=100pt | Most Runs
!Most Wickets
!Highest Score
!width=100pt | References
!Most Hundreds
! width="100pt" | Most Wickets
!Most five-wickets-in-an-innings
|-
|-
|[[2019–2021 ICC World Test Championship Final|2019–2021]]
| [[2021 ICC World Test Championship Final|2021]]
| {{flagicon|England}} [[Rose Bowl (cricket ground)|Rose Bowl]], [[Southampton]]
| {{flagicon|England}} [[Rose Bowl (cricket ground)|Rose Bowl]], [[Southampton]]
| {{cr|NZ}}
| {{cr|NZ}}
| 8 wickets.
| New Zealand won by 8 wickets<ref>{{Cite web|title=Full Scorecard of India vs New Zealand Final 2019-2021 - Score Report {{!}} ESPNcricinfo.com|url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/icc-world-test-championship-2019-2021-1195334/india-vs-new-zealand-final-1249875/full-scorecard|access-date=2021-06-26|website=ESPNcricinfo|language=en}}</ref>
| {{cr|IND}}
| {{cr|IND}}
|[[Kyle Jamieson]]
|[[Kyle Jamieson]]
|[[Marnus Labuschagne]] (1675 @ 72.82)
|[[Marnus Labuschagne]], 1675<ref>{{Cite web|title=ICC World Test Championship, 2019-2021 Cricket Team Records & Stats {{!}} ESPNcricinfo.com|url=https://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/records/batting/most_runs_career.html?id=13202&type=tournament|access-date=2022-01-04|website=Cricinfo}}</ref>
|[[Ravichandran Ashwin]]
|[[David Warner (cricketer)|David Warner]], 335*<ref>{{Cite web|title=ICC World Test Championship, 2019-2021 Cricket Team Records & Stats {{!}} ESPNcricinfo.com|url=https://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/records/batting/most_runs_innings.html?id=13202&type=tournament|access-date=2022-01-04|website=Cricinfo}}</ref>
(71 @ 20.33)
|[[Marnus Labuschagne]], 5<ref>{{Cite web|title=ICC World Test Championship, 2019-2021 Cricket Team Records & Stats {{!}} ESPNcricinfo.com|url=https://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/records/batting/most_hundreds_career.html?id=13202&type=tournament|access-date=2022-01-04|website=Cricinfo}}</ref>
|<ref>{{Cite web|title=Full Scorecard of India vs New Zealand Final 2019-2021 - Score Report {{!}} ESPNcricinfo.com|url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/icc-world-test-championship-2019-2021-1195334/india-vs-new-zealand-final-1249875/full-scorecard|access-date=2021-06-26|website=ESPNcricinfo|language=en}}</ref>
|[[Ravichandran Ashwin]], 71<ref>{{Cite web|title=ICC World Test Championship, 2019-2021 Cricket Team Records & Stats {{!}} ESPNcricinfo.com|url=https://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/records/bowling/most_wickets_career.html?id=13202&type=tournament|access-date=2022-01-04|website=Cricinfo}}</ref>
|[[Kyle Jamieson]], 5<ref>{{Cite web|title=ICC World Test Championship, 2019-2021 Cricket Team Records & Stats {{!}} ESPNcricinfo.com|url=https://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/records/bowling/most_5wi_career.html?id=13202&type=tournament|access-date=2022-01-04|website=Cricinfo}}</ref>
|}
|}


== Popularity ==
== Popularity ==
It has been suggested that Test cricket may be losing popularity, particularly in the face of the advent of [[short form cricket]].<ref>https://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/sport/cricket/chris-waters-reports-death-test-cricket-have-been-greatly-exaggerated-126971 "According to Shashank Manohar, chairman of the International Cricket Council, Test cricket itself is “dying, to be honest”. Details of the funeral arrangements will be announced in due course."
It has been suggested that Test cricket may be losing popularity, particularly in the face of the advent of [[short form cricket]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/sport/cricket/chris-waters-reports-death-test-cricket-have-been-greatly-exaggerated-126971 |title=Chris Waters – Reports of the death of Test cricket have been greatly exaggerated |work=Yorkshire Post |date=9 February 2019 |access-date=27 August 2021 |url-status=live |quote=According to Shashank Manohar, chairman of the International Cricket Council, Test cricket itself "is dying, to be honest". Details of the funeral arrangements will be announced in due course. "Nowadays, people don’t have five days (of) time to watch a Test match,” said Manohar. "From ten to five, everybody has their own job to do, so it is very difficult for them to watch this game. T20s get over in three-and-a-half hours, like watching a movie. Therefore, it is picking up very fast."}}</ref> [[Day/night cricket|Day/night Test match]]es  have been suggested as one way to address this problem.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-cricket-australia-mcgrath/australian-mcgrath-backs-day-night-tests-to-revive-popularity-idUKKCN20K24F |title=Australian McGrath backs day-night tests to revive popularity |last=Ganguly |first=Sudipto |work=Reuters |date=26 February 2020 |access-date=27 August 2021 |url-status=live}}</ref> However, the lack of popularity has been disputed, with a [[Marylebone Cricket Club]] poll showing that 86% of all cricket fans support Test cricket, more than any other format.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.lords.org/lords/news-stories/test-cricket-popularity-strong-as-ever-says-mcc-wo |title=Test Cricket Popularity as Strong as Ever Says MCC World Cricket Committee Following MCC Survey |website=lords.org |date=9 March 2019 |access-date=27 August 2021 |url-status=live |quote=Over 13,000 responders from more than 100 countries took part in the survey, with the majority of responders supporting England, India, Pakistan, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa and Sri Lanka. Overwhelmingly, Test cricket came out as the format that interests fans the most, regardless of country supported or age. An average of 86% of the responders placed Test cricket as their preferred format to watch, follow and support over One-Day Internationals, T20 Internationals and domestic T20 matches.}}</ref>
 
"“Nowadays, people don’t have five days (of) time to watch a Test match,” said Manohar. “From ten to five, everybody has their own job to do, so it is very difficult for them to watch this game.
 
“T20s get over in three-and-a-half hours, like watching a movie. Therefore, it is picking up very fast."</ref> [[Day/night Test match]]es  have been suggested as one way to address this problem.<ref>https://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-cricket-australia-mcgrath/australian-mcgrath-backs-day-night-tests-to-revive-popularity-idUKKCN20K24F</ref> However, the lack of popularity has been disputed, with a [[Marylebone Cricket Club]] poll showing that 86% of all cricket fans support Test cricket, more than any other format.<ref>https://www.lords.org/lords/news-stories/test-cricket-popularity-strong-as-ever-says-mcc-wo "Over 13,000 responders from more than 100 countries took part in the survey, with the majority of responders supporting England, India, Pakistan, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa and Sri Lanka. Overwhelmingly, Test cricket came out as the format that interests fans the most, regardless of country supported or age.
 
An average of 86% of the responders placed Test cricket as their preferred format to watch, follow and support over One-Day Internationals, T20 Internationals and domestic T20 matches."</ref>


==See also==
==See also==
{{Portal|Cricket}}
{{Portal|Cricket}}
* [[Toss (cricket)]]
* [[ICC Test Championship]]
* [[ICC World Test Championship]]
* [[List of Test cricket grounds]]
* [[List of Test cricket grounds]]
* [[List of Test cricket records]]
* [[List of Test cricket records]]
* [[List of Test cricketers]]
* [[Lists of Test cricketers]]
* [[One Day International]]
* [[One Day International]]
* [[Twenty20 International]]  
* [[Twenty20 International]]  
* [[Timeless Test]]
* [[Major League Cricket]]
{{clear}}
{{clear}}


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{{Forms of cricket}}
{{Forms of cricket}}
{{Team Sport}}
{{International cricket}}
{{Team sports}}


{{DEFAULTSORT:Test Cricket}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Test Cricket}}
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