COLOMBO: (ePRESS) – A rest day has been scheduled on September 21 for the first Test match between New Zealand and Sri Lanka, which is set to take place from September 18 to 23 at the Galle International Cricket Stadium. The rest day has been arranged to accommodate Sri Lanka’s Presidential Election, ensuring that the match proceeds smoothly without any interruptions.
The New Zealand men’s cricket team is touring Sri Lanka for two Test matches as part of the ICC World Test Championship 2023-2025. Both Tests are scheduled to be held at the Galle International Cricket Stadium. The second Test match is slated to run from September 26 to 30.
The concept of a rest day in Test cricket is becoming increasingly rare. The most recent instance of such a break occurred in Dhaka in 2008, when a rest day was observed on December 29 during Bangladesh’s Test match against Sri Lanka, coinciding with a parliamentary election.
In Sri Lanka, it has been over two decades since a Test match spanned six days. The last occasion was in 2001, when Sri Lanka played Zimbabwe in Colombo. That match included a rest day due to Poya Day, a significant full moon celebration in the country.
As Sri Lanka and New Zealand prepare to face off in the upcoming Test series, both teams are positioned third and fourth respectively in the World Test Championship standings. This series will be crucial for their championship campaigns.
