<P> There were 99 timeless Tests between 1877 and 1939 . The last was the Fifth Test between England and South Africa at Durban in 1939 , which was abandoned as a draw after nine days of play spread over twelve days , otherwise the England team would have missed the boat for home . This match had started on 3 March . South Africa had set a target of 696 for England to win . By the time England had to leave to catch their boat home , on 14 March , England had reached 654 for 5 ( the highest ever first - class fourth innings score ) . This is the longest Test cricket match on record . The match had not been expected to take more than five days , but rain and rolling rejuvenated the pitch three times during the match , and it was still in good condition for batting when the match was abandoned . </P>
<P> There were 99 timeless Tests between 1877 and 1939 . The last was the Fifth Test between England and South Africa at Durban in 1939 , which was abandoned as a draw after nine days of play spread over twelve days , otherwise the England team would have missed the boat for home . This match had started on 3 March . South Africa had set a target of 696 for England to win . By the time England had to leave to catch their boat home , on 14 March , England had reached 654 for 5 ( the highest ever first - class fourth innings score ) . This is the longest Test cricket match on record . The match had not been expected to take more than five days , but rain and rolling rejuvenated the pitch three times during the match , and it was still in good condition for batting when the match was abandoned . </P>
when was the longest match of cricket played
when was the longest match of cricket played
1939
1939