Cricket has formats built for different kinds of contests. In Test cricket, teams can bat twice and the match can last up to five days. It gives the game time to turn and places a premium on sustained performance.

One Day cricket is limited-overs cricket: each side usually has one innings of 50 overs. Teams have a set number of deliveries to build an innings, manage wickets and finish strongly.

T20 cricket shortens each innings to 20 overs. With fewer balls available, scoring choices and bowling changes happen quickly. The formats share the same basic aimβ€”score more runs than the oppositionβ€”but the time available changes strategy.