How Long Is a Cricket Match? — T20, ODI & Test Match Duration
A T20 match lasts about 3 hours. An ODI takes 7–8 hours. A Test match can last up to 5 days. Learn what determines match length, how rain and bad light affect it, and how the formats compare.
One of the biggest questions new cricket fans ask is: how long does a cricket match last? The answer depends entirely on the format. Cricket has three main international formats — T20, ODI, and Test — each with very different time commitments.
Match duration by format
| Format | Overs per team | Typical duration | Maximum |
|---|---|---|---|
| T20 | 20 | ~3 hours | About 3.5 hours |
| ODI (50-over) | 50 | 7–8 hours | About 9 hours |
| Test | Unlimited | 3–5 days | 5 days |
| The Hundred | 100 balls | ~2.5 hours | About 3 hours |
| First-class (4-day) | Unlimited | Up to 4 days | 4 days |
T20 cricket
A Twenty20 match typically lasts about 3 hours — 90 minutes per innings plus a 20-minute break. The match can finish early if the team batting second reaches the target before using all 20 overs. T20s are designed to fit into an evening time slot, making them accessible for working fans. International T20Is and franchise tournaments like the IPL use T20 format.
ODI cricket
A One Day International runs about 7–8 hours including the lunch break. Each team bats for up to 50 overs (about 3.5 hours of batting), with a 45-minute innings break. If the team batting second reaches the target before 50 overs, the match ends immediately. Rain can shorten an ODI, with the DLS method used to set revised targets.
Test cricket
A Test match is scheduled for 5 days, with each day having 90 overs of play (approximately 6 hours of cricket). Most Tests don't last the full 5 days — the average Test is around 3.5–4 days. Tests can end early if one team bowls the other out twice before day 5 completes. Matches that end before all 5 days can also be drawn if the batting team survives. A Test match CANNOT be a draw if it goes all 5 days — the result is then declared a draw unless the team batting last is all out or reaches the target on day 5.
What can shorten a match?
- Rain or bad light: play is suspended, and if enough time is lost, the match can be abandoned
- Team batting second reaching the target early (all formats)
- A team being bowled out before their overs are used (all formats)
- Declaration (Test only): batting captain closes the innings voluntarily
- Follow-on (Test only): a team bowled out for 200+ runs fewer may need to bat again immediately
Frequently asked questions
How long is an innings in a Test match?
There is no set time limit for a Test innings — it ends when 10 wickets fall or the captain declares. The batting team tries to bat as long as possible; the bowling team tries to dismiss all 10 wickets as quickly as possible. A very long Test innings (like England's 903 for 7 declared against Australia in 1938) could occupy nearly 3 full days.
Can a Test match end in one day?
Yes, though it is extremely rare. The shortest completed Test match was England vs Australia in Manchester in 1888, which finished in one day (Australia bowled out for 70 and 60). In modern times, deteriorating or 'sporting' pitches can cause teams to collapse quickly, but a one-day Test finish hasn't happened in the professional era.
What happens if it rains during a cricket match?
In Test cricket, lost time can be made up by playing into the evening (a 'reserve day' is sometimes added for finals). In ODIs and T20s, if enough overs cannot be bowled, the Duckworth-Lewis-Stern (DLS) method is used to set revised targets. A minimum of 5 overs (T20) or 20 overs (ODI) per side is needed for a result.