Cricket has 3 formats and each has its unique features and attributes like the time for each match to be played.
How long does a cricket game last?
Different Formats, Different Time Durations
As I have said before, there are 3 formats of cricket – Test, One Day International (ODI), and T20 International (T20I). The length of the match depends on the format.
Test Format
In Test cricket, the number of overs a team may take is not restricted but the match can go on for a maximum of 5 days only. Each of these 5 days, the teams can play 90 overs in a day, with 6 hours of playing time divided among the 3 sessions.
In case the required number of overs is not bowled or if there is a possibility of the match ending in a result at the end of the day, the playing time can be extended by half an hour more. Moreover, if the 2 breaks – lunch/dinner or tea – during the 3 sessions are included, then a day’s play lasts about 7 hours.
ODI Format
One Day International (ODI) is a cricket format, which allows each team to bat for 50 overs, making a total of 100 overs in the game. Just like the name implies, ODI matches are played over a single day.
That does not mean, though, that it will be played during the whole day; an ODI match usually takes about 8 to 9 hours of playing time which includes the breaks for drinks and change of innings. In very rare cases, the match might be shifted to a reserve day, mainly in tournaments like the ICC Cricket World Cup or ICC Champions Trophy.
Even if the contest is moved to the reserve day, the action will still start from the original game day.
During the Asia Cup in September 2023, the reserve day rule was in effect during the India vs. Pakistan match, as the first day was rained out. The match was then resumed the following day from where it had left off on the first day.
T20 Format
T20 cricket is the shortest form of the game as it is composed of 2 innings of 20 overs each. A T20 match is completed in 50% of the time allocation given to an ODI match.
Basically, T20 cricket always takes about 4 hours of time, including the drinks and innings breaks. And this is one of the reasons that T20 cricket is so loved all over the world.
The reserve day rule is also in play when it comes to T20 cricket. The rain made it impossible to play on the scheduled day during the 2023 IPL final, and thus, the final got pushed to the next day. Eventually, the match did take place.
Other Formats of the Game
T10 Format
Despite the fact that numerous T10 leagues have spread around the world, this format has not yet entered international cricket. T10 cricket is a shorter version of T20, consisting of 2 innings of 10 overs each.
Due to the lesser number of overs, the length of a T10 match is about 1.5 to 2 hours, allowing time for the 10-minute innings break.
100-Ball Format
This format has just been released by the England and Wales Cricket Board. They have their respective league titled – The Hundred.
Every inning is made up of 100 balls, roughly equal to 17 overs. A Hundred match lasts around 2.5 to 3 hours, which is very similar to a T20 match in terms of duration.
