Longest Test match in cricket history -Google Googly of the Day: How Long Did the Longest Test Match Last? You’ll Be Surprised!
In today’s fast-paced T20 cricket era, Test matches usually last between four and five days. But here’s a mind-boggling cricket trivia for you — the longest Test match in the history of the sport lasted for 10 days!
Yes, it’s true. The historic game was played between England and South Africa from March 3 to March 14, 1939, at Kingsmead Stadium in Durban. Famously dubbed the “Timeless Test,” this match had no time limit, meaning it was to continue until a clear result emerged — no matter how long it took.
Why It Lasted 10 Days – But Still Ended in a Draw
Despite being played over 10 playing days (with one rest day), the match was declared a draw for one bizarre and unprecedented reason: the England team had to catch their ship back to Britain! Yes, travel plans brought an epic cricket battle to a halt.
Here’s how the match unfolded:
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South Africa First Innings: 530 runs
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England First Innings: 316 runs
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South Africa Second Innings: 481 runs
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England Second Innings: 654/5 (chasing a target of 696)
A total of 1,981 runs were scored in the match, and England were just 42 runs short with five wickets in hand when the game was abandoned.
The Legacy of the Timeless Test
Though thrilling, the match proved to be too long and logistically impractical. As a result, cricket authorities later decided to abandon the timeless format altogether, giving birth to the standard five-day Test match structure we know today.
The 1939 Timeless Test remains a legendary moment in cricket history, representing the endurance, unpredictability, and charm of the longest format of the game — a stark contrast to today’s fast and flashy cricket culture.
नगरी के 16 वर्षीय युवक की समुद्र में डूबने से मौत, उड़ीसा के पुरी में हुआ हादसा
