Test match: What are the rules? How to win

The sport of cricket has many different formats, but the one which is seen as the game in its purest form is test match cricket. 

This is often the format which the majority of players want to feature in, but it's also the most demanding. 

But what are the rules in a test match and how does a team come out victorious. 

DAZN explains the rules of test match cricket below. 

How long is a test match? 

A test match is scheduled to last five days, but a winner can be declared before the fifth day. 

90 overs are scheduled to be bowled on each day, but if these overs are not bowled by the cut off time, play can be extended depending on the conditions and light. However, if this is not possible and the teams are forced off the field, there maybe an early start to the following day's play to make up for lost time. 

Which countries are able to play in a test match? 

Only countries which have official status can play in cricket's longest format. 

What are the rules of a test match? 

The basic rules of a test match sees the two teams competing given two innings each with the aim of scoring the most runs. 

Each team has 10 wickets when batting and will generally end when 10 batsmen have been dismissed. But in certain situations, the team batting may declare their innings if the captain feels like they have enough runs to force a result. 

How to win a test match? 

A win can be achieved in a test match if the team batting last passes their opponent's score, but if the team batting last lose all their wickets in the second innings, it's the fielding team which are declared the winners. 

A test match can also be drawn if the allotted time runs out and the team batting still has wickets remaining.