10 days, 1,981 runs, no winner: ENG vs SA Test that ended with a ship to catch

In an era when a Test match can be over in three or four days, it is almost impossible to imagine a game continuing for 10 days. But in 1939, England and South Africa played a Test with no time limit. It lasted 43 hours and 16 minutes, produced 1,981 runs, and still did not have a winner.The reason the match finally ended? England had a ship to catch.When Test matches had no time limitTest cricket has always been about patience. Today, five days is considered the ultimate examination, but there was a time when Test matches were played until there was a winner. The most extraordinary example came in Durban, South Africa, in March 1939. It became known as the “Timeless Test” and remains the longest Test match ever played.England were touring South Africa for a five-Test series.