How Many Days Did The Longest Test Match Last? This dates back to when the longest Test match finished on 14th March with a world record, and an occasion that will be ingrained in the minds of cricket lovers forever. This mythical event, known worldwide as “The Timeless Test”, represented an event found only once in cricket history.
How Many Days Did the Longest Test Match Last?
For how many days did the longest Test match take place? The reply: 9 uninterrupted days of hard cricket. The match started in March 1939 and continued till 14 March, when it was eventually abandoned as a draw. England was just 41 runs behind victory on the ninth day, but because of travel limitations, the English side had to leave the match to board their ship back home.
Why Is It the “Timeless Test”?
Unlike today’s Test matches, which are confined to a maximum of five days, this match was not time-limited. The aim was to continue playing until a clear outcome was achieved, regardless of the duration. This idea of Timeless Test was soon compromised, practicalities soon took over, and the game ultimately concluded without a winner.
England vs South Africa Match Summary
Dates: March 3-14, 1939 (inclusive of one day off)
Ground: Kingsmead, Durban
Teams: England against South Africa
Outcome: Draw
Total Days Played: 10
Total Runs Scored: 1,981
Innings Summary
South Africa 1st Innings: 530
England 1st Innings: 316
South Africa 2nd Innings: 481
England 2nd Innings: 654/5 (in pursuit of 696)
Players Who Made History
Some cricket heroes of South Africa participated in this legendary event, among them:
Aubrey Melville
PGV van der Bijl
EAB Rowan
B Michell
Their contributions made it into what is now a milestone in cricket history.
South Africa’s Continued Cricketing Excellence
Since that groundbreaking Test match, the South African national cricket team, the Proteas, has gone from strength to strength and record to record on the international cricketing stage. One record of note was achieved on 01 February 2013, when Graeme Smith became the first ever cricketer to lead a team in 100 Test matches, a milestone achievement for cricket in South Africa.
The England vs South Africa Iconic Test
Even today, the 1939 Durban Test between England and South Africa remains a landmark in determination, sportsmanship, and cricketing history. In answering the question “How long did the longest Test match last – number of days?” cricket fans will remember this 9-day marathon as a freak, one-off occurrence that stretched the limits of the game.
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