Why are Sri Lanka and New Zealand players resting on entire Day 4 of ongoing first Test in Galle?

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The Day 4 of the Sri Lanka vs New Zealand first Test in Galle witnessed no action because of a 'rest day' declared due to the presidential elections in the island nation.

Elections in Sri Lanka are being held for the first time since mass protests sparked by the country's worst-ever economic crisis led to the ouster of former president Gotabaya Rajapaksa in 2022.

A rest day was given amid the ongoing first Test so that the Sri Lankan players could go to their respective electorates and cast their votes. Officials of Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC), coaching staff members, groundsmen, commentators and journalists also took the opportunity to travel to their respective polling booths and exercise their voting rights.

While rising star Kamindu Mendis got the benefit of being a Galle local, the likes of Asitha Fernando and Lahiru Kumara had to travel for over 170 kilometres to reach their electorates. They will also have the task of returning back to the team hotel by evening.

New Zealand stars got the entire day to themselves, and would understandably be the fresher lot when taking the field on Sunday. At stumps on Day 3, Sri Lanka were batting on 237/4, leading by 202 runs. New Zealand scored 340 in reply to Sri Lanka's 305 in the first innings. Technically, the Test match is set to be played across six days due to the rest between Day 3 and Day 4 due to the elections in the island nation.

Rest Day in cricket? When did it happen last?

The last 'rest day' in a Test match was taken in 2008 and Sri Lanka were again a part of it. A rest day had to be declared because of parliamentary elections in Bangladesh. Rest days were also common in Test matches of the past.