 "The first-ever Test match in Guwahati will see India-South Africa having Tea before Lunch. Image: Reuters")
The second India vs South Africa Test match in Guwahati is set for an unprecedented change to the tradition of the long format as Tea will be taken before Lunch on all days of the match. The historic Test match will be played at the Barsapara Stadium in Guwahati from 22 November.
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Lunch followed by Tea has always been a tradition in Test matches, but the Guwahati game will serve the Tea first before Lunch. Why? Well, due to the difference in the sunrise and sunset timings in Guwahati as compared to the northern, southern or western parts of India.
Why will Lunch be taken after Tea during India’s Test at Guwahati
The north-eastern city experiences early sunrise and sunset due to it lying in high eastern longitude. As a result, the BCCI has decided to change the tradition, serving Tea first and Lunch later in the Guwahati Test match.
The first session will take place from 9:00 and 11:00 AM, followed by a Tea break, which will last from 11:00 to 11:20 AM. The second session will be played from 11:20 AM to 1:20 PM, followed by a Lunch break. The Lunch break will be taken from 1:20 PM and 2 PM. The third and final session of the day will be played from 2:00 and 4:00 PM.
“The reason to have early tea is because Guwahati witnesses early sunset and there is early start too. This will be the first time we have decided to change the Tea session as time will be saved to get extra game time on the field,” a BCCI source told the Indian Express.
Generally, during Test matches in India, the play starts at 9:30 AM, followed by a 40-minute Lunch break from 11:30 AM to 12:10 PM. The second session is played till 2.10 PM, followed by a 20-minute Tea break till 2:30 PM. The third and final session is played from 2:30 to 4:30 PM.
Impact Shorts
More ShortsReportedly, the change in the session timings and breaks was decided by both the BCCI and Cricket South Africa. The BCCI has been following the same system for the Ranji Trophy matches in Guwahati.
The new system of Tea before Lunch is expected to help teams pack in more overs before light becomes unplayable.