Playing conditions for the first ever day-night four-day Test announced

Team South Africa is all set to host their neighbours Zimbabwe in the first ever four-day Test. This will also be the first day-night Test for the visiting side. The stage is all set for the marquee clash at the St. George’s Park at Port Elizabeth. The Boxing Day Test is expected to be a full house. While it will be an opportunity for the visitors to hone their skills against a superior side, the hosts would be keen on getting some practice ahead of the India tour.

The ICC’s template for the four-day Test has been confirmed. The rules for the game has set a minimum of 98 overs to be bowled every day. This totals up to 392 overs in the match, which is only 58 overs less than what is usually bowled in the normal five day Test matches.

In order to accommodate these extra 8 overs each day, the play is expected to be extended by half an hour. This extra time will be bought in from the first two sessions of play, which will be of two hours and fifteen minutes each.

Change in follow-on rule

The other rule that is different from the conventional Test matches is the rule on follow-on. As against the Test rule of the limit being 200 runs, the four day Tests will see follow-on limited to 150 runs. In case of the match between South Africa and Zimbabwe, the tea interval time is set to be 20 minutes. The supper break will be of 40 minutes.

The match will commence at 1:30 pm (local time). The sun sets around 7:45 pm (local time) at Port Elizabeth. Hence, the final session will be played under the lights. Both teams, South Africa and Zimbabwe, are looking eager to lock horns for the iconic Test. Zimbabwe have named two rookie players in their squad, while the Proteas await the return of Dale Steyn and AB de Villiers.