Test match (cricket) facts for kids
Test matches in cricket are the most important and original type of international competition. They usually last for five days and are seen as the highest level of cricket play.
Test matches were first created in the 1800s as a contest between England and Australia. The very first official Test match happened from March 15 to 19, 1877. It was played by England and Australia at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG). Australia won that game by 45 runs.
To celebrate 100 years of Test cricket, another match was held in Melbourne from March 12 to 17, 1977. In a cool twist, Australia beat England by the exact same score of 45 runs, just like in the first game! After that first Test, a second match was played, which England won. Teams also played some games against local clubs, a tradition that still happens today.
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More Countries Join Test Cricket
South Africa became the third country to play Test cricket in 1888–89. It took a long time for other nations to join. The West Indies (often called the 'Windies') were the fourth Test country. They played against England in London in 1928 at the famous Lords cricket ground.
New Zealand first played against England in 1930 in Christchurch. The first Indian Test team played England in 1932, also in London at Lords.
When British India was divided into new countries, Pakistan was given Test status in 1952. This happened because India suggested it. Pakistan's first Test match was against India in Delhi. Sri Lanka then joined the Test-playing nations in 1982.
Newest Test Nations
Today, four more countries have full Test status:
- Zimbabwe (joined in 1992)
- Bangladesh (joined in 2000)
- Ireland (joined in 2018) – the Irish team represents both parts of Ireland
- Afghanistan (joined in 2018)
Out of these newer teams, only Bangladesh has played regularly against the older, more experienced nations. There is a big difference in skill between the top teams and the newer ones. This is why the stronger countries usually don't play long series against the weaker ones. A Test series needs to be exciting for people to watch and for TV companies to buy the rights. Also, a country must have cricket grounds that meet the high standards needed for Test matches.
Where Cricket is Played
It's clear that cricket mostly spread to countries that were once part of the British Empire. One interesting exception is Canada, where cricket is not a major sport. However, cricket is truly a global sport. It is played by nations in Europe, parts of Africa, the Caribbean, the Indian subcontinent, and Oceania.
Images for kids
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A Test match between South Africa and England in January 2005. The two men wearing black trousers are the umpires. Test cricket is played in traditional white clothes and usually with a red ball – a pink ball is used in full day/night Tests.
See also
In Spanish: Test cricket para niños
