The lunch break in Test cricket lasts exactly 40 minutes according to ICC playing conditions and MCC Laws of Cricket. This is the longest interval during a day’s play, giving players time to rest, eat, and strategize for the afternoon session.
Test cricket follows a structured schedule with three sessions per day. The lunch break comes after the first session, which typically lasts two hours. If play starts at 11:00 AM, lunch is taken around 1:00 PM, and play resumes at 1:40 PM for the second session.
This 40-minute duration is standardized across all Test matches worldwide, whether played in England, India, Australia, or anywhere else. However, the actual timing can vary based on weather delays, over rates, and match situations.
Quick Facts About Lunch Break
| Detail | Information |
| Duration | 40 minutes |
| Typical Timing | Around 1:00 PM (after first session) |
| Governed By | MCC Law 12.2 & ICC Playing Conditions |
| First Session Length | Approximately 2 hours (30 overs) |
| Resumption Time | 1:40 PM (approximately) |
| Can Be Delayed? | Yes, based on weather or over rate |
| Can Be Cancelled? | No, but timing can be adjusted |
How the Test Cricket Schedule Works
A standard day of Test cricket is divided into three sessions with two breaks between them.
Morning Session (First Session):
- Starts: 11:00 AM (typical local time)
- Duration: 2 hours
- Overs: Approximately 30 overs
- Ends: 1:00 PM
Lunch Break:
- Duration: 40 minutes
- Timing: 1:00 PM to 1:40 PM
Afternoon Session (Second Session):
- Starts: 1:40 PM
- Duration: 2 hours
- Overs: Approximately 30 overs
- Ends: 3:40 PM
Tea Break:
- Duration: 20 minutes
- Timing: 3:40 PM to 4:00 PM
Evening Session (Third Session):
- Starts: 4:00 PM
- Duration: 2 hours
- Overs: Approximately 30 overs
- Ends: 6:00 PM (stumps)
The lunch break at 40 minutes is twice as long as the tea break at 20 minutes. This gives players adequate time for proper nutrition and rest during the middle of the day.
Official Rules: MCC Law 12.2
The Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) Laws of Cricket clearly define interval timings. Law 12.2 states that the lunch interval shall last 40 minutes from the call of “Time” before the interval until the call of “Play” when resuming.
The ICC (International Cricket Council) follows these laws in their official Test Match Playing Conditions. The rules specify:
- Lunch shall be taken after the completion of approximately two hours of play
- The duration is fixed at 40 minutes
- Umpires have authority to adjust timing based on conditions
- The break cannot be cancelled, only rescheduled
This standardization ensures fairness across all Test-playing nations. Whether India is playing Australia in Sydney or England is facing Pakistan at Lord’s, the lunch break remains 40 minutes.
When Lunch Timing Can Change?
While the duration stays fixed at 40 minutes, the actual timing of lunch can vary in several situations.
Rain or Weather Delays
If rain delays the start of play, lunch timing gets adjusted. There are two approaches:
- Clock-based approach: Lunch is taken at the scheduled clock time (1:00 PM) regardless of when play started. If play begins at 12:00 PM due to morning rain, lunch would still come at 1:00 PM after just one hour of play.
- Over-based approach: Lunch is taken after completing the scheduled number of overs (usually 30), regardless of clock time. If play starts at 12:00 PM, lunch comes around 2:00 PM after 30 overs.
The match referee and umpires decide which approach to use based on weather forecasts and remaining daylight.
Early Lunch
If rain interrupts play close to the scheduled lunch time, umpires can call for early lunch. For example, if rain stops play at 12:45 PM (15 minutes before normal lunch), they will send players to lunch immediately rather than wait for the rain to stop for a brief 15-minute session.
This prevents wasting time and allows ground staff to work on the field during lunch.
Delayed Lunch
If the scheduled 30 overs aren’t completed by the lunch time due to slow over rate, lunch may be delayed by up to 30 minutes. This ensures teams bowl the required overs before breaking for lunch.
However, this rarely happens as teams face penalties for slow over rates.
Mid-Over Situations
If an over is in progress when the scheduled lunch time arrives, play continues until that over is completed. The lunch break is then taken immediately after the over ends.
Umpires will never stop play in the middle of an over for lunch unless weather forces them to.
Day-Night Test Matches: Dinner Break Instead
Day-night Test matches use a pink ball and start in the afternoon, finishing under floodlights. The traditional “lunch” break is replaced by a “dinner break” because of the different timing.
Day-Night Test Schedule:
| Session | Timing | Break After | Duration |
| First Session | 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM | Dinner Break | 40 minutes |
| Second Session | 4:40 PM – 6:40 PM | Tea Break | 20 minutes |
| Third Session | 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM | Stumps | – |
The dinner break still lasts 40 minutes, maintaining consistency with traditional Test cricket. It comes after the first session when natural light is fading and floodlights become necessary.
Australia pioneered day-night Tests in 2015. The format has since been adopted by other nations for certain matches to attract larger crowds who can attend after work.
What Players Do During Lunch?
The 40-minute lunch break serves multiple purposes beyond just eating.
Nutrition and Hydration:
Players consume balanced meals prepared by team nutritionists. These meals typically include proteins, carbohydrates, and vegetables to maintain energy levels. Hydration is crucial, especially in hot conditions.
Rest and Recovery:
Fielding for two hours under the sun is physically demanding. Players rest their muscles, get ice baths if needed, and receive physiotherapy for minor niggles.
Team Meetings:
Captains and coaches discuss strategies for the afternoon session. If they’re batting, they plan which bowlers to target. If fielding, they review bowling plans and field placements.
Equipment Preparation:
Batsmen check their bats, replace grips if needed, and organize their gear. Bowlers work with support staff to maintain their boots and prepare for the afternoon spell.
Mental Reset:
The break provides psychological relief. Players can mentally reset, review what happened in the morning session, and prepare for the challenges ahead.
Media Interviews:
Sometimes, players give brief interviews during lunch to broadcast partners, sharing insights about the morning session.
The 40-minute duration is carefully calculated to allow all these activities without extending the day’s play unnecessarily.
Impact on Match Strategy
The lunch break significantly influences captains’ tactical decisions.
Timing of Declarations:
If a batting team is ahead, captains might delay declaration until lunch to ensure bowlers get fresh legs to attack in the afternoon session.
New Ball Timing:
Captains often plan to take the new ball (available after 80 overs) just before lunch. This ensures the ball stays hard and shiny for the afternoon session when conditions might be more favorable for bowling.
Wicket Preservation:
If batting, teams try to avoid losing wickets in the 10 minutes before lunch. The “nervous nineties” applies to sessions too – batsmen play cautiously to ensure they don’t get out right before the break.
Bowling Changes:
Fielding captains save their best bowlers for periods just before and after breaks when batsmen might lose concentration.
The lunch break acts as a natural divider, creating mini-matches within the larger Test match context.
Historical Changes
The 40-minute lunch break hasn’t always been standard. Cricket’s history shows evolution in interval timings.
In the early 1900s, lunch breaks could last 45-60 minutes. The duration varied by venue and agreement between teams.
The MCC standardized it to 40 minutes in the mid-20th century to balance player needs with spectator interest. Shorter breaks risk player fatigue. Longer breaks disrupt match flow and viewer engagement.
Modern Test cricket maintains this 40-minute tradition despite T20 cricket’s influence. While limited-overs formats have shorter or no lunch breaks, Test cricket preserves its traditional structure.
FAQs
How long is lunch break in Test cricket?
Lunch break in Test cricket lasts exactly 40 minutes according to ICC playing conditions and MCC Law 12.2. It is taken after the first session of play, typically around 1:00 PM local time.
Why is lunch break longer than tea break?
Lunch break (40 minutes) is longer than tea break (20 minutes) because it comes midday when players need a proper meal, rest, and strategic planning. Tea break is just a short refreshment pause before the final session.
Can lunch be cancelled in Test cricket?
No, lunch cannot be cancelled but the timing can be adjusted for weather delays or slow over rates. The 40-minute duration remains constant. Umpires have authority to take early or delayed lunch based on conditions.
What time is lunch in Test cricket?
Lunch is typically taken around 1:00 PM local time after approximately two hours of play starting at 11:00 AM. However, the exact time varies based on start time delays, weather interruptions, and over completion requirements.
How is lunch different in day-night Tests?
Day-night Tests have a “dinner break” instead of lunch because play starts in the afternoon. The dinner break still lasts 40 minutes but comes around 4:00-5:00 PM. The timing shifts but the duration remains the same as traditional Test matches.
