Test vs ODI vs T20: cricket formats explained
Professional cricket is played in three main formats. They use the same basic rules, but the length of the match changes how teams play.
| Test | ODI | T20 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overs per innings | No limit | 50 | 20 |
| Innings per team | 2 | 1 | 1 |
| Max overs per bowler | No limit | 10 | 4 |
| Typical length | Up to 5 days | About 8 hours | About 3.5 hours |
| Ball colour | Red, or pink for day-night | White | White |
| Can it be a draw? | Yes | No, but it can be a tie or no result | No, ties often go to a Super Over |
Test cricket
Test cricket is the oldest and longest format. Each team bats twice. A day usually has 90 scheduled overs. A team must bowl the other side out twice to win, so batting for a long time can save a match and force a draw.
If the team batting first leads by 200 runs or more in a five-day match, its captain can make the other side bat again straight away. This is called enforcing the follow-on.
One Day Internationals
ODIs give each team one innings of 50 overs. They balance steady batting with late acceleration. The Cricket World Cup is played in this format. Fielding restrictions change during the innings; see powerplay rules.
T20
T20 gives each team 20 overs. Batters attack from the start, and matches finish in one evening. The IPL and the T20 World Cup use this format. A tied T20 is usually decided by a Super Over, where each team bats one extra over.
Other formats
The Hundred uses 100 balls per innings. T10 uses 10 overs. Domestic first-class cricket works like Test cricket but usually lasts four days.
How each format changes the way teams play
| Test | ODI | T20 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Main batting skill | Patience and technique | Building an innings, then accelerating | Hitting boundaries from ball one |
| Main bowling aim | Take 20 wickets | Take wickets and control the run rate | Stop boundaries, especially at the death |
| Typical good score | 350 or more in a first innings | Around 280 to 320 | Around 170 to 190 |
| Key tournament | World Test Championship | ICC Cricket World Cup | ICC T20 World Cup |
Good scores vary a lot with the pitch, the ground size and the conditions. Treat these as rough guides.
Day-night Tests and the pink ball
Some Tests start in the afternoon and finish under floodlights. They use a pink ball, because a red ball is hard to see at night and a white ball does not last 80 overs. The pink ball often swings more under lights, so the evening session can be the hardest time to bat.
The World Test Championship
Test series now count towards the World Test Championship. Teams earn points for wins and draws over a two-year cycle. The top two teams meet in a one-off final.
Women's cricket
Women's ODIs and T20 internationals follow the same overs as the men's game. Women's Test matches are usually scheduled for four days. The Women's Premier League and the Women's Big Bash League are major T20 leagues.
Franchise leagues
Most franchise leagues use the T20 format. Well-known examples include the IPL in India, the Big Bash League in Australia, the Pakistan Super League and the SA20 in South Africa. Each league sets its own playing conditions, such as overseas player limits and substitute rules.
Which format should a new fan watch first?
Start with T20. Matches are short, the rules are easy to follow, and every over matters. Once you understand the basics, an ODI shows more strategy, and a Test shows the game at its most tactical.
Frequently asked questions
Which cricket format is the longest?
Test cricket is the longest. A Test can last up to five days, with each team batting twice.
How many overs can one bowler bowl in a T20?
A bowler can bowl at most four overs in a 20-over innings.
What is a Super Over?
It is a one-over-per-side tiebreaker used in many limited-overs competitions when scores are level.
How many overs are in a day of Test cricket?
A full day of Test cricket is scheduled for 90 overs, split into three sessions.
Why do Tests use a red ball and T20s a white ball?
White balls are easier to see under lights and against dark clothing. Red balls last longer, which suits the long innings in Test cricket.
What is the follow-on in Test cricket?
If the team batting second trails by 200 runs or more in a five-day Test, the other captain can make it bat again straight away.