Sri Lanka vs New Zealand Test series opener scheduled with a rest day

Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) has announced the fixtures for the two-match home Test series against New Zealand. The opening match of the Test series will experience the return of a rest day in a Test match.

New Zealand will tour Sri Lanka for a two-match Test series in September. This Test series will be a part of the 2023-2025 ICC World Test Championship. Galle International Cricket Stadium (GICS) will host both the Test matches of this upcoming series.

The first Test of Sri Lanka vs New Zealand will begin on September 18. This Test will have a rest day on September 21 due to the Presidential Election of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka.

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When did Sri Lanka last host a Test match with a rest day?

Sri Lanka will host a Test match with a rest day more than 20 years later. Sri Lanka last hosted a Test match with a rest day in December 2001 against Zimbabwe, when day four of the first Test was a rest day (December 30) due to Sri Lanka's Poya Day (full moon).

A rest day was common in Test cricket during the 20th century. In England, the Test matches were generally played with an off day on Sunday. 

The latest Test match with a rest day

The last time a Test match had a rest day was when Sri Lanka toured Bangladesh in 2008. The two-match Test series opener had a rest day on December 29 due to the Bangladeshi general election. 

In late 2014, the Pakistan vs New Zealand third and final Test at Sharjah also experienced an unplanned rest day. While the Test match was started on November 26, the second day of the Test match was later shifted from November 27 to November 28 due to the unfortunate death of Australian cricketer Phillip Hughes. 

Complete fixtures of the New Zealand tour of Sri Lanka 

First Test: September 18-23 at Galle International Cricket Stadium (GICS)

Second Test: September 26-30 at Galle International Cricket Stadium (GICS)