Every sport has a definite time period within which it is supposed to end, however, these epic encounters had lasted quite a while
Every sport has a definite time period within which it is supposed to end. However, the aim of a particular sport, especially in a professional scenario, is to generate an unambiguous result. This holds true for most of the situations except in certain cases like in the round-robin format where a draw is also acceptable. But, If a game or a match is of the finals, then of course there has to be only one winner, under the fair means of play. And that means, the game has to be allowed to continue till someone has emerged as the rightful victor. Theoretically, if a draw is one of the possibilities, then the game can go on ad infinitum. While that has not happened thankfully, some epic encounters, as produced below, had lasted quite a while.
Pawtucket Red Sox v Rochester Red Wings
Baseball | 1981
Easily the longest game in the history of Organized Baseball this International League game which began on April 18 at Pawtucket's McCoy Stadium lasted a total of 33 innings. Thirty two innings were completed on that day till the game was suspended at 4 a.m. When the 33rd innings resumed later that season, Pawtucket took just 18 minutes to score a run and win it.
Isner v Mahut
Tennis | 2010
An opposite of sorts to the finals, this first round Wimbledon 2010 match took more than 11 hours over the course of three days to determine who will move on. Though, Isner, the American, win it by 70 – 68, both were decorated with special awards for this special achievement.
Dennis Taylor and Steve Davis
Snooker | 1985
This one's a final alright — the World Snooker Championship and became the most famous snooker match in history ever. Taylor, who lost the first 8 frames on the trot, leveled back to peg the game at 17-all. Thereafter, it came down to the matter of plotting the black ball in the final frame. With the duration of the match nearing almost 15 hours, Taylor managed to hold his nerve to pick up the trophy.
England v South Africa
Cricket | 1939
Normally a test match lasts 5 days, well, not if the teams score 1,981 runs in all. One wonders if the game could have continued beyond the 10 days, if English team didn't have a boat to catch home.
Kasparov v Karpov
Chess | 1984
Just because it's played sitting down doesn't mean it can go on for 5 months, which this World Chess Championships match did. The rematch after stoppage due to health reasons post 40 draws, saw Kasparov clinch it in 1985.
