At the start of the introduction of Test matches, the traditional format of the game, it was played in three days. This remained the case in England and Australia, the two teams involved at the onset of the game, for the first 50 years.
From 1930, the Ashes – a series between England and Australia – played in England had 4-day Tests while the other teams played 3-day matches. From 1948, the Ashes consisted of 5-day matches. Even by 1949, England had 3-day Tests. From 1950 onwards, a day was added.
Pakistan have alternated between four and five day Tests. New Zealand has had three, four and five-day Test matches. West Indies have had four, five, six and “timeless” Tests. South Africa had three-day Tests and then moved to four-day Tests in 1906 and five-day Tests in 1910. They moved back to four-day Tests in 1914, and a “timeless” decider Test. Finally, in 1957, they stuck to five-day Tests.
“Timeless” Test refers to the longest format of the game where an outcome is necessary – win/loss or a tie – and number of days or overs is not a deterrent.