What Is The Difference Between Women And Men's Test Match?

Whenever a test match or a test series begins, ICC lays out its playing conditions for that event. Although these conditions are mostly the same for every series, ICC does make little changes whenever required. The ICC playing conditions are, however, different for men's and women's test matches. 

India women's cricket team is currently playing a historic pink ball test match against Australia in Australia. The ICC has layed out its playing conditions for the only test match of the multi-format series. Let's take a look at how different is a women's test in comparison to a men's test match. 

1) Days - The major difference a women's test is played for only four days instead of five. In a five-day test, a minimum of 90 overs is required to be bowled in a day. However, in the four-day tests, a minimum of 100 overs need to be bowled.

2) Time - Since the time of play is still six hours per day and 100 overs to be bowled, an over needs to be completed in 3.6 minutes instead of four. 

3) Ball - The Kookaburra ball weighs 142 grams while in a men's test match the weight of the ball is 156 grams. 

4) Boundary Size - In a men's test match, the size of the boundary needs to be a minimum of 59 meters and a maximum of 82 meters. However, boundary size in women's tests is a minimum of 55 meters and a maximum of 64. 

Also Read: T20 World Cup 2021

5) Fielder Absent - A fielder can be maximum out of the field for 110 minutes in the women's test. In the men's test, the maximum time out of the field is 120.