Drinks Intervals and Session Breaks in Cricket: A Complete Guide
Test cricket is structured around three sessions per day, with drinks breaks within each session. Learn the timing of sessions, drinks intervals, the tea break, and how weather and light interruptions affect the day's play.
Test cricket is uniquely structured around sessions — fixed blocks of play separated by formal intervals. Each day consists of three sessions, with a lunch break between the first and second, and a tea break between the second and third. Within each session, a drinks break is scheduled roughly every hour.
Test Cricket Session Structure
| Session | Typical Duration | Break After |
|---|---|---|
| Morning session | 2 hours (approx. 30 overs) | Lunch (40 minutes) |
| Afternoon session | 2 hours (approx. 30 overs) | Tea (20 minutes) |
| Evening session | 2 hours (approx. 30 overs) | Stumps (end of day) |
Drinks Breaks
Within each session, a drinks interval occurs at the captain's mutual agreement or at the umpire's discretion — typically after 75–80 minutes of play, or roughly 15 overs. The drinks break is brief: 5 minutes. Players gather at the side of the field; drinks and messages from coaches (via the 12th man) are shared. Captains can signal for a drinks break, but it is up to the umpire to grant it at an appropriate moment between overs.
Lunch and Tea Breaks
Lunch is typically 40 minutes, starting around 1:00–1:30pm local time depending on the country and start time. Tea is 20 minutes, starting around 3:40–4:00pm. The timing of these breaks can be adjusted by the umpires — for example, if a wicket falls in the last over before lunch, that last over must still be completed before the break begins.
How Bad Light and Rain Affect Sessions
Umpires can suspend play for bad light when they judge that the batter cannot safely see the ball. Batters can also appeal against the light — and if offered a break for bad light, they can choose to continue playing. Rain causes unscheduled stoppages. Lost time can be added at the end of each day to compensate — up to 30 minutes added after stumps is common. In persistent bad weather, overs are reallocated rather than play extended indefinitely.
Frequently asked questions
How many sessions are in a day of Test cricket?
A Test cricket day has three sessions of roughly 2 hours each, separated by a 40-minute lunch break and a 20-minute tea break. Each session typically contains around 30 overs.
How long is the tea break in Test cricket?
The tea break is 20 minutes. It occurs between the afternoon and evening sessions, typically around 3:40–4:00pm depending on the match start time and country.
What is a drinks interval in cricket?
A drinks interval is a brief 5-minute break within a session, taken roughly every 75–80 minutes. Players receive drinks and coach messages from the 12th man on the field boundary.