Sri Lanka vs New Zealand: Why does Galle Test have a rest day on Saturday?

The Sri Lanka vs New Zealand first Test in Galle had a first since 2008 as the match will have a rest day on September 21, Saturday. Here's the reason why the teams will take a rest on Saturday.

In Short

• The presidential elections in Sri Lanka are happening on Saturday
• This is the first time since 2008 that a Test will have a rest day
• Sri Lanka currently have a 202-run lead in Galle Test

Fans who had tuned in to see Sri Lanka and New Zealand first Test in Galle may have been left a little disappointed on Saturday, September 21. There is no action on the supposed 'Day 4' of the Test and due to a valid reason. Saturday is considered to be a 'rest day' in the Test match.

The reason for both teams to call a truce on Saturday is due to the Presidential elections in Sri Lanka on September 21. The players from the host team will cast their votes in their respective constituencies, exercising their right to participate in the election process. This is the first time since 2008 that such an incident has happened in Test cricket. The last time this it happened was when Sri Lanka was facing Bangladesh in 2008.

Bangladesh’s parliamentary elections were set for December 29, coinciding with the first Test match between Bangladesh and Sri Lanka, held in Mirpur, Dhaka, from December 26 to 31. Due to the election, the match was paused after the third day with the score at 291 for four at stumps. Play resumed on December 30, considered the fourth day, following a rest day on December 29 for the election.

This was also the first time since 2001 that a Test match in Sri Lanka has had a rest day when Zimbabwe had come to tour the Island nation. The first Test in Colombo, held from December 27 to January 1, 2002, featured a rest day on December 30 in observance of Poya Day, a significant Buddhist holiday. Despite the scheduled six days, the match concluded within four playing days, making the sixth day unnecessary.

What happened on Day 3 of Galle Test?

Sri Lanka appear to have the upper hand in the opening Test against New Zealand in Galle, holding a 202-run lead in their second innings with six wickets remaining. New Zealand will be relying on pacer William O'Rourke, who has already claimed three wickets in this innings, following his five-wicket haul in the first.

O'Rourke dismissed Pathum Nissanka before quickly removing Dinesh Chandimal and Kamindu Mendis, leaving Sri Lanka at 178 for four. However, Angelo Mathews and Dhananjaya de Silva resisted the pressure, putting together a valuable 59-run partnership for the fifth wicket, holding off O'Rourke and the other Black Caps' bowlers.