International cricket matches are played between the teams representing their nations, organised by the International Cricket Council (ICC). The main forms are Test matches, One-Day matches and Twenty20 matches.
Most games are played as parts of "tours" when one nation travels to another for a number of weeks or months and plays a number of matches of various sorts against the host nation. The ICC also organises competitions that are for several countries at once, including the ICC Men's Cricket World Cup & ICC Men's T20 World Cup.
There was no formal structure for international cricket until the early 20th century. [1] It had long been traditional for countries, without any intervention from a body such as the ICC, to organise for themselves the various cricket matches. The first international match was contested in 1844 between teams representing the United States and Canada, at St George's Cricket Club in New York. [2] The ICC later committed the Test-playing nations to play each other in a programme of matches over a period of 10 years known as the ICC Future Tours Programme. This system was set up to encourage some of the better-established countries to play the lesser nations more frequently.
Most Test, One-Day and Twenty20 matches take place in the form of "tours". In a tour, one nation travels to another and plays warm-up matches, which may be first-class matches, against domestic teams such as county or state teams, a series of Test matches against the host nation, and either a series of One-Day (ODi) and T20 matches against the host nation or a tournament involving the host nation and another touring nation. Tours may include Test, ODI and T20I matches, or just one or two of these formats.
Test series can last from two to six matches, but some tours consist of only a single Test. Six-match series were common in the 1970s and early 1980s, with the last six-match series to date taking place in 1997–98 between the West Indies and England. Ashes Test series in England were six-match affairs between 1981 and 1997, but Australia reverted to five matches in its home series from 1982 to 1983. [3] [4] [5] The most important series last four or five matches, while the less important ones last two to three matches. Sometimes, a perpetual trophy is awarded to the winning team. Perpetual trophies include:
One-day series generally last from three to seven matches. T20 series last from one to five matches.
Tours may include a multi-team one-day tournament, often referred to as a "triangular" or "quadrangular" tournament. Teams play a round-robin format, often with teams playing each other twice. Points are awarded for wins, ties and no results, and some tournaments also award bonus points based on the margin of victory. There may be a final match played between the two teams with the most points from the round-robin stage. [20] [21]
In 2001 the ICC decided to create a plan designed to make all ICC full member countries play each other for Test cricket over a period of ten years (known as the ICC Ten Year Plan). This was approved in February 2001 by the ICC member countries. Starting from 2002 and running until 2011, it ensured that each Test country played the other nine home and away over a period of ten years, in addition to any matches the individual cricket boards organised on their own. Thus, India and Pakistan played 12 ODIs and 6 Tests against each other in their respective countries (not including neutral ground ODI tournaments such as the Asia Cup) from 2004 to April 2005, and played a further series of 3 Tests and 5 ODIs in the winter of 2006. However, because of the rigorous schedule of the Ten Year Plan, there was hardly any time left over to schedule other series, and there were voices criticising the amount of international cricket that is played, [22] with the risk of injury and player burnout as reasons for why this amount should be reduced. The ICC defended their policy, citing the number of international players in English county cricket as a sign that there was not too much cricket for the players. [23]
Despite criticism of its original Ten Year Plan, the ICC created an ICC Future Tours Programme (or FTP for short). In the same way as for the Ten Year Plan, this is a schedule of international cricket tours which structure the programme of cricket for ICC full members, with an objective of each team playing each other at least once at home and once away over a period of 10 years. If the cricket boards of two individual countries reach an agreement, they can play more than two series. If a team doesn't want to travel to a particular country for a bilateral series due to security reasons, then, by the mutual agreement of the respective boards, that series can be shifted to a neutral venue or another country with appropriate facilities, such as in the United Arab Emirates. Recently, the Pakistan Cricket Team has played many of their home bilateral series on Emirati soil. [24]
In addition to tours, nations may organise one-day matches at neutral venues. The Sahara Cup was a one-day series played annually between India and Pakistan in Toronto, until the Indian government ordered the suspension of all cricketing ties with Pakistan because of the countries' hostile diplomatic situation. The BCCI revived ties in 2004. Similarly, a semiannual Triangular Tournament was organised at Sharjah, in the United Arab Emirates. However, the tournament has lost its lustre because the overwhelming number of cricket matches has spoiled the pitch.
In contrast to the one-dayers, Tests are almost never held in neutral venues. A once-off triangular Test tournament was held in England in 1912, which saw South Africa play Australia in three tests at neutral venues, but otherwise it has only been security risks which have seen Tests played on neutral soil. Most notably, Pakistan has "hosted" Test series in England, the UAE and Sri Lanka in the 21st century. Security implications have also affected tours to Sri Lanka and tours to Zimbabwe in the past. The final of the ICC World Test Championship is played at a neutral venue, and for its first three editions was played in England (England did not qualify for any of these finals).
The main men's international tournaments organized by the ICC are the ICC Men's World Test Championship, the ICC Men's Champions Trophy, the ICC Men's Cricket World Cup and the ICC Men's T20 World Cup. Australia is currently the most successful team overall with 10 ICC trophies, and also the only one to win all tournaments atleast once.
The following table shows the events won by each team:
Team | World Championships | World Cups | Total | ||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
ICC World Test Championship Final | ICC Champions Trophy | ICC Men's Cricket World Cup | ICC Men's T20 World Cup | ||
Australia | 1 (2023) | 2 (2006, 2009) | 6 (1987, 1999, 2003, 2007, 2015, 2023) | 1 (2021) | 10 |
India | 0 | 2 (2002 [lower-alpha 1] , 2013) | 2 (1983, 2011) | 2 (2007, 2024) | 6 |
West Indies | 0 | 1 (2004) | 2 (1975, 1979) | 2 (2012, 2016) | 5 |
Sri Lanka | 0 | 1 (2002 [lower-alpha 1] ) | 1 (1996) | 1 (2014) | 3 |
Pakistan | 0 | 1 (2017) | 1 (1992) | 1 (2009) | 3 |
England | 0 | 0 | 1 (2019) | 2 (2010, 2022) | 3 |
New Zealand | 1 (2021) | 1 (2000) | 0 | 0 | 2 |
South Africa | 0 | 1 (1998) | 0 | 0 | 1 |
Total played | 2 | 9 | 13 | 9 | 33 |
The main women's international tournaments organized by the ICC are the ICC Women's Cricket World Cup, ICC Women's T20 World Cup and the ICC Women's T20 Champions Trophy.
The following table show the events won by each team:
Country/Team | ICC Women's Cricket World Cup | ICC Women's T20 World Cup | ICC Women's Champions Trophy | Total |
---|---|---|---|---|
Australia | 7 (1978, 1982, 1988, 1997, 2005, 2013, 2022) | 6 (2010, 2012, 2014, 2018, 2020, 2023) | 13 | |
England | 4 (1973, 1993, 2009, 2017) | 1 (2009) | 5 | |
New Zealand | 1 (2000) | 0 | 1 | |
West Indies | 0 | 1 (2016) | 1 | |
Total played | 12 | 8 | 20 |
The main Under-19 men's international tournament organised by the ICC is the ICC Under-19 Cricket World Cup.
The following table show the events won by each team:
Country/Team | ICC Under-19 Men's Cricket World Cup | Total |
---|---|---|
India | 5 (2000, 2008, 2012, 2018, 2022) | 5 |
Australia | 4 (1988, 2002, 2010, 2024) | 4 |
Pakistan | 2 (2004, 2006) | 2 |
Bangladesh | 1 (2020) | 1 |
South Africa | 1 (2014) | 1 |
West Indies | 1 (2016) | 1 |
England | 1 (1998) | 1 |
Total played | 15 | 15 |
The main Under-19 women's international tournaments organized by the ICC is the U-19 T20 World Cup which is only played once so far.
The following table show the events won by each team:
Country/Team | ICC Under-19 Women's T20 World Cup | Total |
---|---|---|
India | 1 (2023) | 1 |
Total played | 1 | 1 |
The main men's international tournaments organised by the ACC is the Asia Cup and earlier the Asian Test Championship which is now defunct.
Country/Team | Asia Cup | Asian Test Championship | Total |
---|---|---|---|
India | 8 (1984, 1988, 1990–91, 1995, 2010, 2016, 2018, 2023) | 0 | 8 |
Sri Lanka | 6 (1986, 1997, 2004, 2008, 2014, 2022) | 1 (2001–02) | 7 |
Pakistan | 2 (2000, 2012) | 1 (1998–99) | 3 |
Total played | 15 | 2 | 17 |
The main women's international tournaments organised by the ACC is the Asia Cup.
Country/Team | Women's Asia Cup | Total |
---|---|---|
India | 7 (2004, 2005–06, 2006, 2008, 2012, 2016, 2022) | 7 |
Bangladesh | 1 (2018) | 1 |
Sri Lanka | 1 (2024) | 1 |
Total played | 9 | 9 |
The main u-19 men's international tournaments organized by the ACC is the U-19 Asia Cup.
The following table show the events won by each team:
Country/Team | Under-19 Asia Cup | Total |
---|---|---|
India | 8 (1989, 2003, 2012, 2013–14, 2016, 2018, 2019, 2021) | 8 |
Pakistan | 1 (2012) | 1 |
Afghanistan | 1 (2017) | 1 |
Bangladesh | 1 (2023) | 1 |
Total played | 9 | 9 |
The following table show the events won by each team:
Country/Team | Commonwealth Games | Total |
---|---|---|
South Africa | 1 (1998) | 1 |
Total played | 1 | 1 |
The following table show the events won by each team:
Country/Team | Commonwealth Games | Total |
---|---|---|
Australia | 1 (2022) | 1 |
Total played | 1 | 1 |
The following table show the events won by each team:
Country/Team | Asian Games | Total |
---|---|---|
India | 1 (2022) | 1 |
Sri Lanka | 1 (2014) | 1 |
Bangladesh | 1 (2010) | 1 |
Total played | 3 | 3 |
The following table show the events won by each team:
Country/Team | Asian Games | Total |
---|---|---|
Pakistan | 2 (2010, 2014) | 2 |
India | 1 (2022) | 1 |
Total played | 3 | 3 |
In essence, after every Test series, the two teams involved receive points based on a mathematical formula. The total of each team's points total is divided by the total number of matches to give a 'rating', and the Test-playing teams are by order of rating (this can be shown in a table). [25]
From 2002 to 2019, the top-ranked Test team was awarded with the ICC Test Championship mace and the top team at each 1 April cut-off (until 2019) was also awarded a cash prize, the winners of which are listed below. The mace is now awarded to the winners of the ICC World Test Championship.
Country/Team | Test Mace Awarded |
---|---|
Australia | 9 (2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2016) |
India | 5 (2010, 2011, 2017, 2018, 2019) |
South Africa | 3 (2013, 2014, 2015) |
England | 1 (2012) |
Reference: ICC [26] |
The ICC Men's ODI Team Rankings were created, and are run, by the ICC for reasons similar to the Test Rankings. The rankings are simply an international ranking scheme overlaid on the regular ODI (One Day International) match schedule. After every ODI match, the two teams involved receive points based on a mathematical formula. The total of each team's points total is divided by the total number of matches to give a rating, and all teams are ranked on a table in order of rating. [27] The ranking does not replace the World Cup; the latter still carries much more significance to most cricket fans.
The ranking consisted two separate tables until merged into a single table in 2018. The ten ICC Full Members that play Test cricket were automatically listed on the main table while the six Associate Members with One Day International status were listed on a secondary table, but are eligible for promotion to the main table by meeting certain criteria. [28]
As with the Test and ODI Rankings, the ICC Men's T20I Team Rankings are an international Twenty20 ranking system run by the ICC. It is simply a ranking scheme overlaid on the regular T20I match schedule. [29] After every T20I match, the two teams involved receive points based on a mathematical formula. The total of each team's points total is divided by the total number of matches to give a rating, and all teams are ranked on a table in order of rating. [30] [31] This ranking does not replace the ICC World Twenty20 competition.
Competitions for member nations of the ICC with Associate status include:
It featured seven teams: Scotland, Nepal and the United Arab Emirates were joined by the top four teams (Namibia, Oman, Papua New Guinea, United States) from the 2019 ICC World Cricket League Division Two tournament. [32]
The top three teams advanced to the 2022 Cricket World Cup Qualifier tournament, with the bottom four teams advancing to the 2022 ICC Cricket World Cup Qualifier Play-off. [33] All matches played as One Day Internationals (ODIs). [34] Each set of fixtures will take part as a tri-series. [35]
The Cricket World Cup Challenge League replaced the World Cricket League (WCL) which was previously used as the pathway to the Cricket World Cup. [35] The first fixtures took place in September 2019, with all matches having List A status. [36]
The league features the twelve teams ranked from 21st to 32nd place in the WCL following the conclusion of the 2019 ICC World Cricket League Division Two tournament in Namibia. [35] The twelve teams are split into two groups, with each group playing a six-team tournament three times on an annual basis. [35]
The top team in each group will advance to the Qualifier Play-off, taking place in 2022, which feeds into the 2022 Cricket World Cup Qualifier tournament. [34] [37] The remaining ten teams will be eliminated from the 2023 World Cup.
This allowed teams the chance to play first-class cricket matches against teams of similar skill in a competition environment, and prepared them for eventual promotion to Test cricket status.
The ICC WCL (known as the Pepsi ICC World Cricket League for sponsorship reasons) was a series of international one-day cricket tournaments for national teams without Test status, administered by the ICC. [38] All associate and affiliate members of the ICC were eligible to compete in the league system, which featured a promotion and relegation structure between divisions. The league system had two main aims: to provide a qualification system for the World Cup that can be accessed by all associate and affiliate members, and as an opportunity for those sides to play international one-day matches against teams of similar standards.
The top division of the WCL was known as the ICC World Cricket League Championship.
Since the WCL started in 2007, the final matches in the WCL have formed the ICC World Cup Qualifier competition. This competition dates back to 1979.
The Pakistan national cricket team has represented Pakistan in international cricket since 1952. It is controlled by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), the governing body for cricket in Pakistan, which is a Full Member of the International Cricket Council (ICC). Pakistan compete in cricket tours and tournaments sanctioned by the PCB and other regional or international cricket bodies in Test, One Day International (ODI), and Twenty20 International (T20) formats. Pakistan are current ICC Champions Trophy holders.
The Bangladesh men's national cricket team, popularly known as The Tigers, is administered by the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB). It is a Full Member of the International Cricket Council (ICC) with Test, One-Day International (ODI) and Twenty20 International (T20I) status.
The ICC Champions Trophy, also called the "Mini World Cup" or simply "Champions Trophy" is a quadrennial cricket tournament organised by the International Cricket Council. Inaugurated in 1998, The ICC conceived the idea of the Champions Trophy – a short cricket tournament to raise funds for the development of the game in non-test playing countries. It can be compared to FIFA Confederations Cup in football. It remains as one of those ICC events that had the same format as that of another big cricketing event, like the Cricket World Cup, with the format being One Day Internationals. The tournament is one of the world's most viewed sporting events.
The United States men's national cricket team is the team that represents the United States in international cricket. The team was formerly organized by the United States of America Cricket Association (USACA), which became an associate member of the International Cricket Council (ICC) in 1965. In June 2017, the USACA was expelled by the ICC due to governance and financing issues, with the U.S. team being temporarily overseen by ICC Americas until a new sanctioning body was established. In January 2019, associate membership was officially granted to USA Cricket.
The Nepal men's national cricket team represents Nepal in men's International cricket and is governed by the Cricket Association of Nepal (CAN). They have been a Associate Member of the International Cricket Council (ICC) since 1996. Nepal were awarded Twenty20 International (T20I) status by the ICC in June 2014 until the 2015 ICC World Twenty20 Qualifier and earned One Day International (ODI) status in 2018.
The Hong Kong men's national cricket team is the team that represents Hong Kong in international competitions. It played its first match in 1866 and has been an associate member of the International Cricket Council (ICC) since 1969.
The United Arab Emirates men's national cricket team is the team that represents the United Arab Emirates in international cricket. They are governed by the Emirates Cricket Board (ECB) which became an Affiliate Member of the International Cricket Council (ICC) in 1989 and an Associate Member the following year. Since 2005, the ICC's headquarters have been located in Dubai.
The Scotland national men's cricket team represents the country of Scotland. They play most of their home matches at The Grange, Edinburgh, as well as at other venues around Scotland.
The Canada national cricket team represents Canada in international cricket. The team is administered by Cricket Canada, which became an associate member of the International Cricket Council (ICC) in 1968.
The Afghanistan men's national cricket team represents Afghanistan in international cricket. Cricket in Afghanistan has become a symbol of hope and resilience for many. The sport has not only provided entertainment but has also united a nation that has faced numerous challenges. The Afghanistan team has made significant strides on the international stage, showcasing the talent and determination of its players. Cricket has been played in Afghanistan since the mid-19th century, but it was only in the early 21st century that the national team began to enjoy success. The Afghanistan Cricket Board was formed in 1995, becoming an affiliate member of the International Cricket Council (ICC) in 2001 and a member of the cricket confederation, Asian Cricket Council (ACC) in 2003. After nearly a decade of playing international cricket, on 22 June 2017 full ICC membership was granted to Afghanistan. Alongside Ireland, this took the number of Test cricket playing nations to twelve. In view of the persistent conflict and insecurity in Afghanistan, following this status, the team moved to a new home ground in Dehradun, in India. The current home ground of the Afghanistan Men's Cricket team is the Sharjah Cricket Stadium in the UAE.
Women's cricket is the team sport of cricket when played by women. Its rules are almost identical to those in the game played by men, the main change being the use of a smaller ball. Women's cricket is beginning to be played at professional level in 11 of the 12 full members of the International Cricket Council (ICC), and is played worldwide, especially in Commonwealth nations.
The ICC World Cricket League (WCL) was a series of international one-day cricket tournaments for national teams without Test status administered by the International Cricket Council. All Associate Members of the ICC were eligible to compete in the league system, which featured a promotion and relegation structure between divisions. The league system had two main aims: to provide a qualification system for the Cricket World Cup that could be accessed by all Associate Members and as an opportunity for these sides to play international one-day matches against teams of similar standards.
The India–Pakistan cricket rivalry is one of the most intense sports rivalries in the world. Showdowns between the teams are considered some of the biggest matches in the world, and are among the most-viewed sport games.
The Namibia men's national cricket team, nicknamed the Eagles, is the men's team that represents the Republic of Namibia in international cricket. It is organised by Cricket Namibia, which became an associate member of the International Cricket Council (ICC) in 1992.
The 2017 international cricket season was from May 2017 to September 2017. 13 Test matches, 52 One-day Internationals (ODIs), 12 Twenty20 Internationals (T20Is), and 31 Women's One Day Internationals (WODIs) were played during this period. The season started with India leading the Test cricket rankings, South Africa leading the ODI rankings, New Zealand leading the Twenty20 rankings, and Australia women leading the Women's rankings.
The 2018 international cricket season was from May 2018 to September 2018. 16 Test matches, 27 One-day Internationals (ODIs) and 33 Twenty20 International (T20Is), as well as 14 Women's One Day Internationals (WODIs) and 81 Women's Twenty20 Internationals (WT20Is), were played during this period.
The 2018–19 international cricket season was from September 2018 to April 2019. 34 Test matches, 92 One Day Internationals (ODIs) and 74 Twenty20 International (T20Is), as well as 28 Women's One Day Internationals (WODIs) and 130 Women's Twenty20 Internationals (WT20Is), were played during this period. The season started with India leading the Test cricket rankings, England leading the ODI rankings and Pakistan leading the Twenty20 rankings. In October 2018, the International Cricket Council (ICC) introduced separate rankings for women's ODIs and T20Is for the first time, with Australia women leading both tables.
The 2019 international cricket season was from May 2019 to September 2019. The 2019 Cricket World Cup in England and Wales took place during this time, starting on 30 May 2019. 10 Test matches, 78 One Day Internationals (ODIs) and 109 Twenty20 Internationals (T20Is), as well as 1 Women's Test, 9 Women's One Day Internationals (WODIs) and 130 Women's Twenty20 Internationals (WT20Is), were played during this period. Additionally, a number of other T20I/WT20I matches were also scheduled to be played in minor series involving associate nations. The season started with India leading the Test cricket rankings, England leading the ODI rankings and Pakistan leading the Twenty20 rankings. On 3 May, the International Cricket Council (ICC) expanded the men's T20I rankings to include all current Full Member and Associate members of the ICC, featuring 80 teams. In the women's rankings, Australia women lead both the WODI and WT20I tables.
The 2019–20 international cricket season was from September 2019 to April 2020. 29 Test matches, 78 One Day Internationals (ODIs) and 145 Twenty20 Internationals (T20Is), as well as 23 Women's One Day Internationals (WODIs) and 61 Women's Twenty20 Internationals (WT20Is), were scheduled to be played during this period. Additionally, a number of other T20I/WT20I matches were also scheduled to be played in minor series involving associate nations. The season started with India leading the Test cricket rankings, England leading the ODI rankings and Pakistan leading the Twenty20 rankings. In the women's rankings, Australia women lead both the WODI and WT20I tables. The 2020 ICC Women's T20 World Cup in Australia took place during this time, starting on 21 February 2020, with hosts Australia winning the tournament for the fifth time.
The 2022–23 international cricket season was from September 2022 to April 2023. This calendar included men's Test, One Day International (ODI) and Twenty20 International (T20I) matches, women's Test, women's One Day Internationals (WODIs) and women's Twenty20 Internationals (WT20Is) matches, as well as some other significant series. In addition to the matches shown here, a number of other T20I/WT20I series involving associate nations were also played during this period.