Guwahati Test: Aiden Markram not in favour of having Tea before Lunch, hopes it doesnt become common

New Delhi: Star South African player Aiden Markram has said that he is not a fan of taking Tea before Lunch in a Test match, something that will take place in the Guwahati Test. After taking a 1-0 lead in the Test series, South Africa and India will lock horns in the second and final Test match of the series on Saturday, November 22.

As announced earlier, Tea would be taken before Lunch in Guwahati Test match to maximise the day light hours because the eastern part of the country has early sunrise and sunset. To tackle this problem, the game will start half an hour prior to the regular start time and will have Tea at the end of the first session with Lunch being taken after the second session.

Two days ahead of the game, Markram said that he hoped that this does not become a norm in test cricket as he is not the biggest fan of it. He said that he is in favour of the conventional format with Lunch being taken first followed by Tea.

'It’s interesting. I’m not the biggest fan of it, to be honest. I think Test cricket should always start at 10 a.m. with lunch followed by tea. But those are the cards you’re dealt, and you just get on with it. It’ll be something different to experience, but hopefully, it doesn’t become a common thing,' Markram said.

Instead of the usual 9.30 am start, the match will being at 9 am with the first session ending at 11 am. It will be followed by a 20 minute break till 11.20 am and the second session would be played from 11.20 am to 1.20 pm. 1.20 pm to 2 pm is reserved for the lunch break with the final session being played from 2 to 4 pm. This makes a total laying time of 6 hours which can deliver 90 overs of play.

While South Africa would be looking for a win to register a clean sweep, India would be also focusing on a victory to save the Test series.