How long is the lunch break in cricket? UK time it is taken during 2nd Ashes 2021 Test and when play restarts

The format of Test cricket is unlike any other sport.

Rather than setting aside an afternoon or just an hour to watch your favourite team or nation play, Test cricket requires four or five days for the match to be completed and, as such, is a sport that can be easily dipped in and out of if required.

Undoubtedly, there are some Test matches where it is impossible to prize your eyes away from the screen: The Ashes 2019 series showcasing one of the best Test matches in recent years at Headingley and in 2021 Australia and India put on one of the greatest shows in their final Test match that saw India win the series 2-1.

However, even hardcore cricket fans must admit that there are slower moments of the game which might be the perfect opportunity to refill that pint or put on the kettle.

With the Ashes 2021/22 series taking place in Australia, English fans will be finding it harder to keep up with as much of the live action as if it were taking place closer to home. There will, to be sure, those amongst us who are able to power on through the night, however if you are like the majority of us, then you may much prefer popping the TV on at certain opportune  moments.

The second Ashes test is the first of two day/night tests taking place in this series and its timings are more favourable for many English fans.

The loyalists will be able to wake up at what most will find an inconceivable hour but here are the timings for the first session of play.

What would be worse than setting that alarm, putting on BT Sport only to watch the players strolling off for dinner?

When does the second Ashes test start?

The day/night test will begin on Thursday 16 December 2021 and, if all five days are required, will finish on Monday 20 December 2021.

When does a session of ‘play’ mean?

Whenever the Umpire announces that the match can begin or continue, he is announcing the start of ‘play’.

There are three sessions of ‘play’ each day in a Test match if the weather permits and if the batsmen have not been bowled out before. Each session lasts roughly two hours. An Umpire can call an early break if it begins to rain. Equally, if teams are trying to make up for lost overs from earlier in the day or the session before, the next break can be pushed back.

When does the first session of play start?

As it is a day/night Test, play will start much later than usual. In Australia, play will begin at 2.30pm ACDT.

For UK viewers, play will commence at 4am GMT.

When is lunch?

For day/night Tests, lunch is replaced by dinner for the first break. Dinner is set to take place two hours after the start of play. If there are no interruptions, the Umpire will likely call lunch at 6am GMT.

How long is the lunch/dinner break in Test cricket?

At the end of the first session, cricketers enjoy their longest break of the day. The lunch (or dinner) break is 40 minutes long.

The cricketers who are currently batting or more active in bowling will most likely eat just a banana or protein bar, while the fielders or batters who are already out can enjoy a more substantial meal.

How to watch the second Test match?

BT Sport has all the rights for the Ashes 2021/22 series. Go to ourhow to watch the Ashes article to find out more.

Who is in the second Ashes test squad?

England: Joe Root (c) , James Anderson, Stuart Broad, Rory Burns, Jos Buttler (wk), Haseeb Hameed, Jack Leach, Dawid Malan, Ollie Pope, Ollie Robinson, Ben Stokes, Chris Woakes.

Australia: Pat Cummins (c) , Alex Carey (wk), Cameron Green, Marcus Harris, Travis Head, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan Lyon, Jhye Richardson, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc, David Warner.

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