Test match cricket is the longest competitively played form of cricket. Each Test match takes up to five days, and usually forms part of a Test series of between two and six matches.
 
The first Test match of all took place at Melbourne in 1877 between Australia and England, and since then South Africa (1889), New Zealand (1930), West Indies (1930), India (1932), Pakistan (1954), Sri Lanka (1982), Zimbabwe (1992), and Bangladesh (2000) have become Test-playing sides.

Like all cricket, Test cricket is single combat at any given point in time, with an individual batsman taking on an individual bowler, who has helpers known as fielders. The batsman stands in the crease in front of one set of stumps while the bowler propels the ball with a straight arm from the other end of the pitch in an attempt to dismiss him, which can be achieved by hitting the batsman's stumps, or causing the batsman to hit the ball into a fielder' s grasp before it bounces, or through a number of other indiscretions. The batsman attempts to defend his stumps with a bat and to score runs by striking the ball to the boundary of the playing area, or far enough from any fielders to allow the batsman to run to the other end of the pitch before the ball can be returned.

At least two bowlers must take turns (each turn is known as an over) to bowl, from alternating ends of the pitch. There are always two batsmen on the field, each to take turn as required. A team also has one highly specialist fielder who acts as wicket-keeper, standing behind the batsman's stumps to gather deliveries from the bowler, whether the batsman has hit them or not, and returns from fielders.

When all but one of the batting team have been dismissed, the batting side's opportunity to score runs is closed, and the roles are reversed. Each opportunity to bat, either for a team or an individual is called an innings (never inning).

In Test matches each side has two innings. To win a Test, a side has to not only dismiss the opposition team twice but also score more runs than them. Sometimes five days is not enough time for a definite result, and the game ends in draw.

Calling international matches of this type Tests originated from the series of games being regarded as a test of strength between the two sides. Players wear white clothing for Test matches.