In this article, we pay attention to the number of countries that play international cricket in the three existing formats of Tests, One Day Internationals and T20 Internationals.
Contents
Test Cricket
The ICC has the power to confer Test status. A country or a group of countries can play Test cricket only if the ICC approves it. The current list of teams approved by the ICC to play Test cricket includes 12 sides.
Australia
Australia, along with England, has been among the first teams to gain Test status. They played their first Test match against England at Melbourne on 15 March 1877. Australia won the match by 45 runs.
England
England played their first Test match against Australia on 15 March 1877 at Melbourne, Australia. The English team represents both England and Wales.
South Africa
South Africa became the third team to gain Test status on 15 March 1899, when they met England at Port Elizabeth in their first game of Test cricket. England registered an 8-wicket win in the match that lasted only two days.
West Indies
The West Indies, representing 15 Caribbean nations, became a Test-playing team on 23 June 1928 when they met England at Lord’s. England won the match by an innings and 58 runs.
New Zealandp>New Zealand played their first Test match on 10 January 1930 at Christchurch. England won the match by 8 wickets. Indiap>India were given their Test status playing on 25 June 1932 at Lord’s against England who won the match by 158 runs.Pakistan
Pakistan became a Test-playing side on 16 October 1952 when they met India at Delhi in a match that India won by an innings and 70 runs.
Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka became the eighth team to be conferred Test status on 17 February 1982. They lost their first match against England held at Colombo by 7 wickets.
Zimbabwe
Zimbabwe were accepted into the exclusive club of Test-playing teams on 18 October 1992. They drew their first-ever Test match played against India at Harare. In 2006, Zimbabwe voluntarily opted out of Test status owing to poor performances but got readmitted to the club in August 2011.
Bangladesh
Bangladesh gained Test status on 10 November 2000 when they played against India at Dhaka. India won that match by 9 wickets.
Ireland
Ireland, representing players from the Republic of Ireland as well as from Northern Ireland, became a Test-playing side on 11 May 2018 when they faced Pakistan at Dublin in an encounter that Pakistan won by 5 wickets.
Afghanistan
On 14 June 2018, Afghanistan became the latest team to be conferred Test status by the ICC. On that day, they played against India at Bengaluru. India won the match by an innings and 262 runs.
Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka became the eighth team to be conferred Test status on 17 February 1982. They lost their first match against England held at Colombo by 7 wickets.Zimbabwe
Zimbabwe were accepted into the exclusive club of Test-playing teams on 18 October 1992. They drew their first-ever Test match played against India at Harare. In 2006, Zimbabwe voluntarily opted out of Test status owing to poor performances but got readmitted to the club in August 2011.
Bangladesh
Bangladesh gained Test status on 10 November 2000 when they played against India at Dhaka. India won that match by 9 wickets.
Ireland
Ireland, representing players from the Republic of Ireland as well as from Northern Ireland, became a Test-playing side on 11 May 2018 when they faced Pakistan at Dublin in an encounter that Pakistan won by 5 wickets.
Afghanistan
On 14 June 2018, Afghanistan became the latest team to be conferred Test status by the ICC. On that day, they played against India at Bengaluru. India won the match by an innings and 262 runs.
Bangladesh
Bangladesh gained Test status on 10 November 2000 when they played against India at Dhaka. India won that match by 9 wickets.Ireland
Ireland, representing players from the Republic of Ireland as well as from Northern Ireland, became a Test-playing side on 11 May 2018 when they faced Pakistan at Dublin in an encounter that Pakistan won by 5 wickets.
Afghanistan
On 14 June 2018, Afghanistan became the latest team to be conferred Test status by the ICC. On that day, they played against India at Bengaluru. India won the match by an innings and 262 runs.
Afghanistan
On 14 June 2018, Afghanistan became the latest team to be conferred Test status by the ICC. On that day, they played against India at Bengaluru. India won the match by an innings and 262 runs.The ICC conducts the Intercontinental Cup competition with matches played under conditions like those of Test matches to allow international teams without Test status to be able to play first-class cricket.
ODI Cricket
While full members of the ICC – the 12 Test-playing teams – can play any form of international cricket, some Associate Members can gain ODI status depending on their level of success in the World Cricket League.
The Netherlands qualified to be granted full ODI status after the 2018 World Cup Qualifier when the team won the 2015 – 2017 World Cricket League. Three other teams from the league also qualified for ODI status by virtue of reaching the semifinals. Those were the UAE, Scotland and Nepal. The UAE and Scotland were conferred ODI status in June 2018, while Nepal had to wait until January 2019 to be granted full ODI status.