Test cricket is the form of the sport of cricket with the longest match duration and is considered the game's highest standard. There are only twelve countries in the world that have been granted Test status, as determined and conferred by the International Cricket Council (ICC).
It is called Test cricket because the long, gruelling matches are mentally and physically testing. Two teams of 11 players each play a four-innings match, which may last up to five days (or more in the past). The first officially recognised Test match between 15 and 19 March 1877 and was played between England and Australia at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG).
It has been suggested that Test cricket may be losing popularity, mainly due to the introduction of shorter forms of cricket, such as One-Day and Twenty-20 cricket. Cricket Australia has introduced day/night Test cricket to bring more interest to the game. Instead of starting the day's play at 11.00 am, play commences at 3.30 pm and concludes at 10.30 pm. The match is played under floodlights, and the traditional red ball is replaced with a pink ball.
As I write, the day/night Test match between Australia and England is on the television from Adelaide. The television broadcasters like this form of cricket because it is on during their peak viewing time. The viewers also like it, because they can enjoy watching cricket after a long day of work.