What is the purpose of wearing white clothes in Test cricket?
Test format is the longest format of sports which is played for days. Not too ago, It wasn’t only of 5 days match but the game continued till the result was out. The longest documented international cricket test match was played between South Africa and England in Durban which continued for 9 days in total.
To play for such a long period with the rage of the sun hammering heat all day, it is required to be in calm and comfortable attire to maintain focus so the settlement on white was an easy choice which repeals heat. Comfort was more important than the appearance. Back in those days, popularity was limited so there was no question of fame at all. Additionally, white gives the full advantage of spotting dark ball when it aligns with the body of the cricketer.
Traditionally, Test matches are considered the most respectable matches in the game of cricket. The opportunity of playing test to anyone mean a lot which is why we observe the least changes in the format. On many events of international cricket, test numbers/stats are more valuable than any other.
We have to bear in mind that in terms of its institute, cricket goes back to the 18th century when cricketers would wear everyday clothing like short jackets, waistcoats and top hats. The game evolved with time and then they had to use the readily available materials and the choice of all white was purely practical; cricket being a summer sport meant that white was thought the most fitting device.
There was no particular rule about the uniform. It seems to have just evolved that way after the great players of the age adopted white to reflect the summer rays.
