The first Test match between Sri Lanka and New Zealand in Galle, for the first time in 16 years, will witness a rest day, on what should have been Day 4 of the game. (More Cricket News)
βOn Day 3 at the Galle International Stadium, Sri Lanka gained control thanks to half-centuries from Dimuth Karunaratne and Dinesh Chandimal, despite the impressive Kiwi pacer Will OβRourke producing the goods.
ΰ¦At Stumps, the hosts were 202 runs ahead with six wickets in hand.
However, no cricket πwill be played on Saturday, making the Galle Test a six-day affair.
Why is there a rest day?
ΰ¦Due to the presidential elections on Saturday, September 21, the first Test will witness a rest day on Day 4, so the players can cast their votes from the respective constituencies.
Has this ever happened before?
π±Yes. In 2008, the first Test between Bangladesh and Sri Lanka, hosted in Mirpur, witnessed a rest day (Day 3) as the country was scheduled to have the parliamentary elections on December 29.
Is this the first rest day between a Test in Sri Lanka?
κ©΅No, this is not the first rest day in between a Test match in Sri Lanka.
πThe Zimbabwe's tour of SL saw a rest day during the Colombo Test on December 30, due to Poya Day, a Buddhist religious festival.
