Drinks Breaks in Cricket — Rules, Timing & How They Affect the Game
Drinks breaks are scheduled mid-session interruptions that allow players to rehydrate on the field. Learn the ICC rules on when drinks can be taken, why Test cricket allows two breaks per session, and how captains can tactically time a drinks call.
In cricket, play is divided into sessions separated by formal lunch, tea, and dinner intervals. Within each session, Law 15 of the Laws of Cricket provides for one or two drinks breaks — brief stoppages where players stay on the field while drinks are brought out to them by the 12th man or drinks carriers. These interruptions are short by design: typically about two minutes, just long enough for players to hydrate before play resumes.
When drinks breaks occur
In Test cricket, sessions are typically 30–40 overs long, and a single drinks break occurs roughly halfway through each session. In very hot conditions — a heat index above a threshold specified by the ICC's Playing Conditions — umpires are empowered to allow an additional drinks break within a session or to extend the existing breaks. Captains can request a drinks break at the end of any over (not mid-over), but the umpires have final authority over timing and frequency.
Drinks in limited-overs cricket
In T20 Internationals, play is typically too short for a formal drinks break — the innings runs 20 overs in well under two hours. The standard is no scheduled drinks break in T20 cricket. In ODIs (50 overs per side), one drinks break per innings is standard, occurring around the 25th over mark. Franchise T20 tournaments occasionally introduce scheduled timeout breaks — as in the IPL's strategic timeout — that serve a dual function of drinks and team discussion.
Strategic use of drinks breaks
Captains and coaches sometimes time a drinks call to break the momentum of an opposition batsman on a roll. Requesting a drinks break at the end of an over can allow the fielding captain to regroup, change field settings, and speak briefly to the bowler without it appearing obviously strategic. Conversely, a batting captain may welcome the break when their side is in trouble — it allows the batsmen to reset mentally. In high-profile matches, commentators often note when a drinks break appears suspiciously timed to disrupt a well-set partnership.
ICC Playing Conditions heat rules
When the apparent temperature (heat index combining temperature and humidity) exceeds a threshold — typically 36°C or above as specified in the ICC's Playing Conditions — the umpires must consult with both captains and can add an additional drinks break per session, extend existing breaks to five minutes, or in extreme cases (apparent temperature above 40°C) suspend play temporarily. These provisions exist primarily for cricket played in South Asia, the Middle East, and the Caribbean during peak summer heat.
Frequently asked questions
Can a batsman refuse a drinks break?
Batsmen cannot individually refuse a drinks break if one is called by the umpires or agreed by the captains. However, drinks are offered to players — not forced on them. A batsman on 99 who is in full flow may choose not to drink and signal quickly to resume; the break still occurs but is as brief as possible.
Who brings drinks out during a Test match?
Drinks are carried onto the field by the 12th man (the substitute fielder who is the nominated drinks carrier for their team) or by official team support staff in some tournaments. The drinks carriers must not communicate tactical information to the fielding team beyond delivering drinks — doing so can be reported to the match referee under the Code of Conduct.
Are there drinks breaks in women's cricket?
Yes, the same Laws and ICC Playing Conditions apply to women's international cricket. Women's T20Is follow the same no-scheduled-break approach; Women's ODIs and Tests follow comparable session and drinks break structures to the men's game.