Test Cricket

Introduction

It is the longest form of the sport of cricket. It has long been considered the ultimate test of playing ability between cricketing nations. It remains the highest-regarded form of the game, although the comparatively new One Day International and Twenty20 formats are now more popular amongst some audiences.

History

The name "Test" is thought to arise from the idea that the matches are a "test of strength and competency" between the sides involved. It seems to have been used first to describe an English team that toured Australia in 1861-62, although those matches are not considered Test matches today. The first ever official Test match commenced on the 15th of March 1877, contested by England and Australia at Melbourne Cricket Ground, where the Australians won by 45 runs. England won the second ever match (also at the MCG) by 4 wickets, thus drawing the series 1-1.

Test cricket playing nations

There are currently ten Test-playing nations. Test status is conferred upon a country by the International Cricket Council. Countries that do not have Test status can only officially play a shortened version of cricket, except in events such as the ICC Intercontinental Cup, which was specifically designed to allow non-Test nations to play under conditions similar to Tests. The nations are listed below with the date of each nation's Test debut:

1. ENGLAND & AUSTRALIA on March 15, 1877
   
2. SOUTH AFRICA on March 12, 1889


3. WEST INDIES on June 23, 1928


4. NEW ZEALAND on January 10, 1930


5. INDIA on June 25, 1932


6. PAKISTAN on October 16, 1952


7. SRI LANKA on February 17, 1982


8. ZIMBABWE on October 18, 1992


9. BANGLADESH on November 10, 2000