About

In a Test match, a day has two stoppages of play before end of the day, called stumps. The first break, lunch, takes 40 minutes; it follows two hours or 30 overs of the day’s play. The second break, or tea break, occurs two hours after returning from lunch.

This article deals with the tea break and its rules in a Test match.

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History

The history of the tea break in Test cricket is not too certain, but most indicators point to its origin back to the end of the 19th century or the start of the 20th century. Lord Harris, who was the English captain at that time- and later became the governor of Bombay- has been purportedly credited with introducing the tea break. He would drink his cup of tea whenever the game was stopped.

He would invite the opposing team captain for tea, thereby starting a tradition and showing a true sporting gesture. Another theory on the birth of the tea break is that due to the English aristocracy’s social customs, it emerged. In their routine melodies of ancient days, tea would be taken traditionally in the afternoon with a gathering. Since cricket was born of these British nobility, they also imported their tea culture into the game.

What is tea break in Test cricket?

The tea break in Test cricket is one of the intermediate rests, and they gather to chat, directed by the umpires. It allows the cricketers to charge themselves, refocus, relax, rejuvenate, and then get ready for the last session of the day.

The break lasts for about 20 minutes and is time for the players to catch their breath over tea or coffee, have energy drinks if necessary, and snack lightly.

Importance

Tea is, in test cricket, not only a time for refreshments and recreation; on the contrary, it provides awesome moments for consideration and planning. During this period, players will come together, talk about strategies, relax, rehydrate and get some vigor back before the other session that draws into the day. The tea break has the power to change the tempo and form of the game; this break can either hinder or enhance the performance of the players on the field.

For instance, when a batsman is scoring with great ease and runs before tea, then tea invariably brings a wrong kind of rhythm to his batting, and he can be termed an unlucky person should he be bowled out quickly after tea. However, on the other hand, when a bowler hasn’t gotten much success before tea, he generally has good advice from the captain or coach judiciously over tea, and so returning to the field, he feels rejuvenated and ready.