How Long Is Tea Break in Test Cricket? Official Duration & Full Rules Explained

How Long Is Tea Break in Test Cricket?

The tea break in Test cricket lasts 20 minutes. It usually comes after the second session of the day. However, the exact timing can change slightly depending on match conditions, weather delays, or if a session is extended to complete overs.

History of the Tea Break in Test Cricket

Test cricket has always followed a traditional daily structure. In the early days of the game in England, players and officials took tea during long matches played over several days. It was not just a break — it became part of cricket culture.

When international cricket was governed by the International Cricket Council (ICC), session timings were standardized. The tea break was officially set to 20 minutes, placed between the second and third sessions of play.

Even today, whether the match is in London, Melbourne, Karachi, or Mumbai, this tradition continues in almost the same format.

A Common Mistake Many Fans Make

Many new fans think the tea Test cricket is 30 minutes, just like the lunch break. This is wrong. The tea break is shorter than lunch. Lunch lasts 40 minutes, while tea lasts only 20 minutes. Mixing these two is one of the most common misunderstandings among casual viewers.

How Long Is Tea Break in Test Cricket? (Full Breakdown)

Let’s clearly explain everything so there is no confusion.

1. Exact Duration

Standard tea break = 20 minutes
Happens after the second session
Applies in all official Test matches worldwide

This answers the main question:
How long is tea break in test cricket? → 20 minutes.

It does not matter if you ask:

How long is the tea break in test cricket
How long is a tea break in test cricket

The answer remains the same under normal playing conditions.

2. When Does Tea Break Happen?

A standard Test match day is divided into three sessions:

Session 1: Morning session
Lunch Break: 40 minutes
Session 2: Afternoon session
Tea Break: 20 minutes
Session 3: Evening session

Normally, a full day includes 90 overs, divided into three blocks of 30 overs each.

Tea break comes after the second 30-over block.

3. Can Tea Break Timing Change?

Yes — but only slightly.

According to ICC playing conditions:

If overs are lost due to rain, sessions may be extended.
If a wicket falls near the scheduled break, the break might be delayed.
If 9 wickets are down close to tea time, the umpires may delay tea to allow the innings to finish.

But the duration of tea break remains 20 minutes.

4. Why Is Tea Break Important?

Tea break is not just about drinks.

It gives teams time to:

Reset strategy
Discuss batting or bowling plans.
Review pitch behavior
Recover physically
Plan final session tactics.

In a five-day Test match, small strategy shifts after tea often decide the game.

Many historic comebacks began after a strong tea-time team talk.

Official Authority: ICC Playing Conditions

Under the official regulations of the International Cricket Council:

A Test day must allow 90 overs.
Intervals are fixed.
Lunch = 40 minutes.
Tea = 20 minutes.

Umpires have limited flexibility to adjust timing due to weather or match situations, but they cannot extend tea beyond the official allowance unless exceptional circumstances occur. This ensures uniformity across all Test-playing nations.

Detailed Daily Schedule of a Test Match

Here is a simple example of a typical Test day schedule:

Session	Time (Example)	Overs	Break Duration
Session 1	10:00 AM – 12:00 PM	30	—
Lunch	12:00 PM – 12:40 PM	—	40 minutes
Session 2	12:40 PM – 2:40 PM	30	—
Tea	2:40 PM – 3:00 PM	—	20 minutes
Session 3	3:00 PM – 5:00 PM	30	—

Note: Exact timing can vary by country.

Comparison: Lunch vs Tea Break

Many people confuse these two.

Feature	Lunch Break	Tea Break
Duration	40 minutes	20 minutes
Comes After	Session 1	Session 2
Main Purpose	Major rest + meal	Short tactical reset
Can Be Adjusted?	Yes (slightly)	Yes (slightly)

This comparison makes it very clear.

Why Test Cricket Still Follows This Format

Test cricket takes the longest to play out of all forms of cricket. It preserves old traditions and honors the sport’s history.

Unlike shorter formats:

ICC Cricket World Cup matches have only innings breaks.
ICC T20 World Cup matches do not include tea or lunch breaks.

Only Test cricket maintains this classical three-session structure.

This keeps the rhythm balanced and ensures fairness.

Strategic Impact of Tea Break

Let’s look deeper.

For Batting Team:

Discuss shot selection.
Plan against specific bowlers.
Control scoring rate in final session.

For Bowling Team:

Adjust field placements.
Rotate bowlers for fresh spells.
Plan short-ball or spin attacks.

Very often, the session after tea sees dramatic shifts. Bowlers attack aggressively, and captains push for breakthroughs.

Real Match Example

In many historic Ashes contests between England and Australia, momentum changed right after tea. Bowlers returned fresh and triggered collapses in the final session.

That 20-minute pause may look small — but in Test cricket, it can decide five days of hard work.

Common Confusion About Tea Break

Is a tea break always exactly 20 minutes?

Yes, officially 20 minutes.

Can tea be skipped?

No. Only delayed under rare match situations.

Is a tea break the same in all countries?

Yes. ICC rules apply globally.

What happens if the innings ends just before tea?

Umpires may take tea immediately or adjust timing slightly.

Is a drinks break different from a tea break?

Yes. Drinks breaks happen during sessions and last only a few minutes.

Quick Facts Table

Question	Answer
How long is tea break in test cricket?	20 minutes
When does it happen?	After second session
Is it same worldwide?	Yes
Can it change?	Timing may shift, duration stays 20 minutes
Who controls it?	ICC playing conditions

Why This Question Matters for Fans

If you are watching a Test match live or planning to attend a stadium, knowing session timings helps you:

Plan your viewing schedule.
Avoid missing important moments.
Understand match rhythm.
Follow commentary discussions better.

New viewers often search:

How long is the tea break in test cricket
How long is a tea break in test cricket

Now you know the clear answer.

Common Myths

Myth 1: Tea break is 30 minutes.

False. It is 20 minutes.

Myth 2: It depends on the country.

False. ICC standardizes it.

Myth 3: It can be extended for TV ads.

False. Broadcasters adjust around official timing.

Expert Insight

Former international players often say the session after tea is the toughest for batters. The ball may reverse swing. Spinners attack rough patches. Fielders return fresh. That small 20-minute gap allows captains to rethink everything. Test cricket is often called a game of patience. Tea break supports that rhythm.

Complete Day Structure Summary

A full Test match day usually includes:

6 hours of playing time
90 overs minimum
2 intervals
Lunch: 40 minutes
Tea: 20 minutes

This structure has stayed mostly unchanged for decades.

Quick Summary

The tea break in Test cricket lasts 20 minutes under official ICC rules.
It takes place after the second session of the day, before the final session begins.
While the exact timing may shift due to rain, bad light, or match situations, the duration remains fixed at 20 minutes worldwide.
Tea break plays an important role in strategy, recovery, and planning for the final phase of the day’s play.