Cricket Countries 2024

Cricket is a match-play between two 11-player teams - involving a bat and ball. Innings divide a match. During each inning, one team bats, two batters at a time, and the other team bowls (throws). The team that scores the most runs wins. Matches can last for hours or, in rare cases, days. But with over 2.5 billion fans, it is the world's most popular sport.

Cricket is synonymous with English culture and primarily played in countries founded or protected by the British Empire. The earliest reference to the sport is traced to 18th-century southeastern England. And, It wasn't until the 19th century that the first international matches were held.

Cricket is governed by the 12-country International Cricket Council (ICC), a 104-member body with full, associate, and One Day status. The International Cricket Council oversees international play and the Cricket World Cup. The ICC was founded in 1909 with just three countries - England, South Africa, and Australia. Each member country also has a national cricket governing body.

There are some 4,200 professional male and female cricketers worldwide, with an estimated 30 million registered players. India leads the top ten with the most male professional players at 1030. Sri Lanka has 510 registered players, while Pakistan and South Africa have roughly 450 professional players each. England currently lists 410 professional cricketers. The remaining countries of New Zealand, Australia, Bangladesh, West Indies, and Afghanistan each have approximately 200 players.

Experienced or not, cricket is played at some level in over 120 countries.

In tournament play, the "Big Three," England, India, and Australia, all former British colonies, dominate the cricket pitch. Other ICC member nations include India, Sri Lanka, and Bangladesh. South Africa and Australia, both founding members, are also on the governing roster. New Zealand joined in 1973. The Middle Eastern countries of Afghanistan and Pakistan are also ICC members. The Cricket West Indies, a collaborative effort of six island nation cricket associations, includes Barbados, Guyana, and Trinidad and Tobago. The Leeward Islands and the Windward Islands are also included. The Caribbean island country of Jamaica rounds out the group.