Cricket is the definition of an international sport, with 104 countries belonging to the international organization that governs the sport, and billions of fans. And while local matches generate excitement, it’s the international tournaments that catch attention.
There are several forms of this sport — test matches, one-day matches, and shorter versions of the game. Of these, every four years, the prominent one-day cricket tournament stands out as a global favorite.
This premier tournament comprises one-day matches, which means the game spans just a day. In this format, each side gets 50 overs. For a team to emerge victorious, it must surpass the initial inning score in the subsequent inning and still have a batsman standing.
Dive deeper into the world of International Cricket and its marquee events.
What to anticipate in upcoming cricket matches
Each cricket event is unique, although the international governing body must approve arrangements for every international tournament.
Every international cricket match is scheduled and arranged by the international body and domestic member country boards.
Teams with a test status may take part in official international test matches. These include teams representing these countries or regions:
- Australia
- England
- South Africa
- West Indies
- New Zealand
- India
- Pakistan
- Sri Lanka
- Zimbabwe
- Bangladesh
- Ireland
- Afghanistan
Unlike standard test matches, the premier one-day cricket tournament, held every four years, incorporates 10 qualifying teams.
Host nations get a direct entry, while the rest are chosen based on their performance in preceding tournaments and qualifier matches.
For example, the 10 countries in cricket’s biggest event for 2023 are:
- Afghanistan
- Australia
- Bangladesh
- England
- India
- Netherlands
- New Zealand
- Pakistan
- South Africa
- Sri Lanka
Hosting international matches
When it comes to international cricket, the global body votes on hosts for the upcoming event cycle for major events. The local cricket boards arrange other international matches.
A different member country hosts the premier event every four years. In 2023, all matches will take place in India, while the 2027 matches will be co-hosted by Namibia, South Africa, and Zimbabwe.
Each has an array of stadiums for the matches, with India having 10 professional cricket stadiums nationwide.
Finding tickets
Tickets are predominantly available online for the major world cricket event, with prices varying based on the location.
Anticipated matches at top cricket events
Any international match, regardless of the sport, has highly anticipated matches. These games are often between rivals but create bonds across countries.
Rival matches in cricket are often some of the most watched events of the season. For example, one India vs. Pakistan match in 2019 drew over 300 million viewers total.
Some country matches that strike interest time and time again, regardless of the tournament, are:
- India vs. Pakistan
- India vs. Australia
- England vs. New Zealand
- Australia vs. South Africa
Depending on the tournament, there may be additional matches outside of the main event, such as warm-up matches that fans can watch.
The key regional and international cricket events
Cricket aficionados have a platter of international events to keep them engrossed.
Some of these top events include a continental championship for Asian countries, a one-day global championship, women’s cricket events, qualifiers for the one-day world event, a test championship, and a prominent league based in the Caribbean islands.
Furthermore, teams often embark on tours, where a nation visits another to engage in a series of matches.
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