When Does Cricket Close? Match End Times Explained

By Sarah Miller · August 18, 2035

Cricket does not have a universal closing time—it varies by format, venue, and competition. Matches end when all innings are completed or conditions prevent further play.

Understanding When Cricket Matches Conclude

Unlike sports with fixed clocks, cricket match durations depend on format. Test matches last up to five days, One Day Internationals (ODIs) conclude in about 8 hours, and T20s finish within 3–4 hours. The exact closing time depends on scheduled sessions, weather, and playing conditions.

Factors That Determine Match End Times

Format of the game: Tests, ODIs, and T20s have different structures and timeframes.
Venue and local regulations: Stadium curfews or lighting restrictions may influence finish times.
Weather interruptions: Rain delays can extend matches beyond scheduled hours.
Innings completion: A match ends once all allotted overs or innings are completed.
Result outcome: Games ending in a win, loss, or draw conclude immediately under respective rules.

Match Duration by Format

Different formats follow distinct timelines. Below is a breakdown of average match lengths and typical end times based on start time.

Format	Avg. Duration	Start Time (Local)	Expected End Time	Venue Example
Test Match	7 hours/day for up to 5 days	10:00 AM	6:00 PM daily (ends after final session)	Lords, England
One Day International (ODI)	7–8 hours	9:30 AM	5:30–6:30 PM	MCG, Australia
T20 International	3–4 hours	7:00 PM	10:30–11:00 PM	Eden Gardens, India
T20 League (e.g., IPL)	3–3.5 hours	7:30 PM	10:30–11:00 PM	Wankhede Stadium, India
Women's ODI	6–7 hours	10:00 AM	5:00–6:00 PM	Hagley Oval, New Zealand

Table data source:ICC Playing Conditions, ESPNcricinfo Match Archives

The table illustrates how match length and start times determine closing times. Evening T20 games typically conclude past 10 PM, while daytime ODIs and Tests follow structured session breaks. Venue-specific factors like light levels and crowd safety also influence official closure.

Special Cases Affecting Match Closure

Stadium Curfews

Some venues enforce strict closing times due to noise ordinances or transportation schedules. For example, matches at Kensington Oval (Barbados) often adhere to a 10:30 PM cutoff during night games.

Weather and Light Restrictions

Rain or bad light can suspend play, delaying the match end. In such cases, officials use the Duckworth-Lewis-Stern (DLS) method in limited-overs games to finalize results.

Abandoned or Drawn Matches

If conditions prevent completion, matches may be abandoned or declared draws—especially in Test cricket—effectively closing the contest without a decisive result.

Frequently Asked Questions About When Cricket Closes

When does a T20 cricket match usually end?

A T20 match typically lasts 3 to 4 hours. If it starts at 7:00 PM local time, it usually ends between 10:30 PM and 11:00 PM, depending on delays or interruptions.

Do cricket matches have a hard closing time?

Some venues impose hard closing times due to local regulations. However, international matches may extend slightly beyond if a result is possible, subject to umpire approval.

Can a cricket match end early?

Yes. Matches can end early due to a team winning decisively, weather abandonment, or insufficient light. In T20s, a super over or DLS decision may also lead to earlier conclusions.

What time do Test matches end each day?

Test matches usually end around 6:00 PM local time after the final session, though this can vary by country and ground rules. Play may extend if time was lost earlier in the day.

Why do some cricket games finish late at night?

Night games, especially T20s, start in the evening for broadcast and fan attendance. With commercial breaks, reviews, and potential delays, they often finish past 10:30 PM.