A test cricket match lasts for a maximum of five days. These are categorised as first class matches, wherein the length of the match is a minimum of three days. In this format, both teams are allowed to bat twice alternatively. The team with more runs at the completion of both innings wins. Should a team fail to chase it’s target in the second innings at the end of the scheduled match time but has wickets in hand, then the match ends in a draw.
Each day’s play in test cricket lasts for approximately six hours. Often, the batting side loses a wicket at a time which is near to the completion of the day’s play. In such a case, they might not prefer to send their higher order batter next as per the batting order. Thus, they opt to send in a lower-order batter, a tail-enders who is predominantly a bowler. This player is tasked to survive on the crease till the day’s play ends. Thus, this batter is called the night watchman.
Three scenarios can be considered as axioms for considering when a night watchman must be sent.
- The batting side has batted nearly the entire day and has lost three or less wickets. However, before the day’s play ends, the team loses a wicket.
- A team loses all its wickets and the innings comes to an end. However, only a few minutes are left for the day to end and the second innings can still be scheduled for start.
- Consider the he scenario in the second point but with a slight modification. A little time is remaining for the day’s play, and the second innings begins. However, one of the openers is out.
- As a night watchman, Jason Gillespie holds the record for being the only player to hit a double century. Nasim-ul-Ghani was the first player to score a century as a night watchman in 1962. Later, Australia’s Tony Mann became the second player to score a century as a night watchman in 1977.
As a night watchman, Jason Gillespie holds the record for being the only player to hit a double century. Nasim-ul-Ghani was the first player to score a century as a night watchman in 1962. Later, Australia’s Tony Mann became the second player to score a century as a night watchman in 1977.
