CRICKET UPDATES.

  HISTORY OF CRICKET:

              Pre-16th Century: The exact origins of cricket are unclear, but it is believed to have been played in southern England during the 16th century. Some early references to cricket-like games appear in historical records dating back to the 14th century.

<>START OF TEST CRICKET:

                    In 1877, the first official Test match was played between England and Australia in Melbourne, marking the beginning of international cricket competitions.

March 15, 1877 

<>START OF ODI CRICKET:

                  Initially, ODIs featured different numbers of overs (40, 50, or 60), but today, matches are standardized at 50 overs per side.

            The first Cricket World Cup was held in 1975 in England, featuring matches of 60 overs per side. The tournament's success established ODI cricket as a major format.

<>START OD T20I CRICKET:

                In the early 2000s, T20 cricket was introduced, a format that lasts only 20 overs per side. This shorter and faster version of the game has gained massive popularity worldwide.

<>ALL FORMATS NO 1 BATSMAN:

                     As of November 2024, Babar Azam is ranked as the No. 1 batsman across all formats in the ICC rankings. He leads the ODI batting charts with a rating of 825 and has been a consistent performer in all formats of the game, showcasing his dominance and adaptability.

                                                                                   ODI STATS
                                                                         
 

HISTORY OF ODI

History of One-Day International (ODI) Cricket:

One-Day International (ODI) cricket is a limited-overs format, typically lasting one day, where each team bats for a set number of overs (usually 50). It evolved as a faster-paced alternative to Test cricket and has become one of the most popular formats in the sport.

Introduction of ODI Series: ODIs gained traction during the 1970s, with the format’s shorter duration appealing to audiences and broadcasters.

First Cricket World Cup: The ICC organized the first-ever ODI World Cup in 1975 in England. It featured 60-over matches, played in traditional white kits with red balls.

• Winners: West Indies defeated Australia in the final, becoming the inaugural champions.

ODI Cricket World Cup History:

                     The ODI Cricket World Cup, organized by the ICC, is held every four years and is the pinnacle of one-day international cricket. Since its inception in 1975, it has showcased some of the most iconic moments in cricket history. Here's an overview of the winners:

Champions List (1975–2023):

1. 1975: West Indies defeated Australia by 17 runs (Host: England)
2. 1979: West Indies defeated England by 92 runs (Host: England)
3. 1983: India defeated West Indies by 43 runs (Host: England)
4. 1987: Australia defeated England by 7 runs (Hosts: India and Pakistan)
5. 1992: Pakistan defeated England by 22 runs (Hosts: Australia and New Zealand)
6. 1996: Sri Lanka defeated Australia by 7 wickets (Hosts: India, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka)
7. 1999: Australia defeated Pakistan by 8 wickets (Host: England)
8. 2003: Australia defeated India by 125 runs (Host: South Africa)
9. 2007: Australia defeated Sri Lanka by 53 runs (Host: West Indies)
10. 2011: India defeated Sri Lanka by 6 wickets (Hosts: India, Sri Lanka, and Bangladesh)
11. 2015: Australia defeated New Zealand by 7 wickets (Hosts: Australia and New Zealand)
12. 2019: England defeated New Zealand on boundary count after a tied Super Over (Hosts: England and Wales)
13. 2023: India defeated Australia by 6 wickets (Host: India)

Australia holds the record for the most World Cup wins (5 titles), followed by India and West Indies with 2 each. The tournament continues to grow, bringing together the top cricketing nations in a celebration of the sport's global appeal.

                                                AUSTRALIA BEAT INDIA 2023:

                                        ENGLAND BEAT NEWZELAND 2019:

                                        PAKISTAN BEAT ENGLAND IN 1992.

HISTORY OF TEST

 HISTORY OF TEST:

                Test cricket, the longest format of the game, is considered the ultimate challenge in cricket. It emphasizes skill, endurance, and strategy over five days of play. First Test Match: The first official Test match was played between Australia and England from March 15-19, 1877, at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG). Australia won the match by 45 runs.

Expansion of Test Cricket

• Early Years: Initially, only a few nations like England, Australia, and South Africa played Test cricket.
• New Entrants: The format gradually expanded:
  • West Indies (1928)
  • New Zealand (1930)
  • India (1932)
  • Pakistan (1952)
  • Sri Lanka (1982)
  • Zimbabwe (1992)
  • Bangladesh (2000)
  • Afghanistan and Ireland (2018)

Ashes Series:

The Ashes series began after Australia defeated England at The Oval in 1882, marking England's first home defeat.

A satirical obituary in The Sporting Times mockingly stated that "English cricket had died, and the body will be cremated, and the ashes taken to Australia."

During England's subsequent tour of Australia in 1882-83, English captain Ivo Bligh was presented with a small urn, symbolizing "the ashes." This urn is widely regarded as the Ashes trophy.

Notable Records and Moments

1. First Series: The inaugural Ashes Test was held in 1882 at The Oval, London.
2. Bradman Era: Sir Donald Bradman dominated the Ashes during the 1930s and 1940s, setting records that stand to this day.
3. Botham’s Heroics: Ian Botham's exceptional all-round performance in the 1981 Ashes series remains legendary.
4. 2005 Ashes: Widely regarded as one of the greatest series in cricket history, England won the Ashes for the first time in 18 years.
5. 2019 Ashes: A thrilling contest where Ben Stokes’ extraordinary innings at Headingley helped England chase down a record target.

World Test Championship (WTC)

The World Test Championship (WTC) is the premier tournament for Test cricket, established by the International Cricket Council (ICC) in 2019 to bring greater context and competitiveness to the longest format of the game. It operates as a league system for Test-playing nations.

Format

1. Participating Teams: The WTC includes the top 9 Test-playing nations:
   • India, Australia, England, South Africa, New Zealand, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, West Indies, and Bangladesh.
2. League Stage:
   • Each team plays 6 series (3 home and 3 away) over a 2-year cycle.
   • Points are awarded based on match results, with a cap for each series.
3. Final:
   • The top two teams at the end of the league stage qualify for the final to compete for the championship title.

Key Milestones

Inaugural Edition (2019–2021)

• The first cycle culminated in a final between India and New Zealand at The Ageas Bowl, Southampton, in June 2021.
• New Zealand won the inaugural WTC title, defeating India by 8 wickets.

Second Edition (2021–2023)

• The final was played between India and Australia at The Oval, London in June 2023.
• Australia clinched their first WTC title with a dominant performance over India.

Points System

• Points are awarded for winning a match or securing a draw. In the 2021-2023 cycle:
  • Win: 12 points
  • Tie: 6 points
  • Draw: 4 points
  • Loss: 0 points
• The percentage of points won determines the standings to accommodate series of varying lengths.

DAY & NIGHT TEST:

        Day-night Test matches, introduced in 2015, use pink cricket balls to improve visibility under floodlights. The first day-night Test was played between Australia and New Zealand at the Adelaide Oval in November 2015. The format was introduced to make Test cricket more accessible to fans by allowing matches to extend into the evening, attracting working audiences. The pink ball, with its distinct color and lacquer, was chosen over the traditional red for better visibility under artificial lighting, though it behaves slightly differently due to its unique coating.

HISTORY OF T20I

HISTORY OF T20I: 

The Twenty20 (T20) format was introduced by the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) in 2003 as a shorter, faster-paced version of cricket to attract younger audiences and boost the game's commercial appeal.

Rules: Each team bats for a maximum of 20 overs (120 balls), and the matches are designed to be completed in about three hours.

The First T20I Match:

• Date: February 17, 2005.
• Teams: Australia vs. New Zealand.
• Venue: Eden Park, Auckland.

Highlights:

      1) Australia won by 44 runs.

      

The First ICC T20 World Cup:

Year: 2007.

Venue: South Africa.

Champion: India, who defeated Pakistan in a thrilling final.

Impact: This tournament was pivotal in establishing T20 cricket as a global sensation. The iconic six by MS Dhoni's team to secure victory is still celebrate

The Rise of T20 Leagues

• Domestic leagues, like the Indian Premier League (IPL) launched in 2008, brought star players from around the world into the T20 fold.
• Leagues like Big Bash League (BBL), Caribbean Premier League (CPL), and Pakistan Super League (PSL) followed, further globalizing T20 cricket.

PSL(PAKISTAN SUPER LEAGUE):

              The Pakistan Super League (PSL) is a professional Twenty20 cricket league in Pakistan, founded in 2015 by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB). It has grown into one of the most popular and competitive cricket leagues in the world, featuring top local and international players. Here’s an overview:

Format and Structure

• The PSL typically comprises 6 franchises, each representing different cities in Pakistan:
  • Karachi Kings
  • Lahore Qalandars
  • Peshawar Zalmi
  • Islamabad United
  • Quetta Gladiators
  • Multan Sultans (joined in 2018)
• Each team competes in a double round-robin format, followed by playoffs and a final to determine the champion.

IPL(INDEAN PRIEMER LEAGUE):

           The Indian Premier League (IPL) is a world-renowned professional Twenty20 cricket league established in 2008 by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI). It has become one of the most lucrative and popular sporting events globally, blending sports and entertainment.

Format and Structure

• Teams: The IPL initially started with 8 teams, representing different Indian cities. Over time, teams like Rising Pune Supergiants and Gujarat Lions were temporarily added, and in 2022, two new franchises—Gujarat Titans and Lucknow Super Giants—were introduced, making it a 10-team league.
• Format:
  • Played annually, usually between March and May.
  • Features a round-robin format, followed by playoffs and a grand final.
  • Each team faces others in league-stage matches, aiming for a spot in the top four to qualify for the playoffs.

BBL(BIG BASH LEAGUE):

               The Big Bash League (BBL) is Australia’s premier professional Twenty20 cricket league, established by Cricket Australia in 2011. It has gained significant popularity worldwide due to its competitive matches and family-friendly entertainment.

Structure and Format

• Teams: The BBL features 8 franchises, each representing major Australian cities:
  • Adelaide Strikers
  • Brisbane Heat
  • Hobart Hurricanes
  • Melbourne Renegades
  • Melbourne Stars
  • Perth Scorchers
  • Sydney Sixers
  • Sydney Thunder
• Season Schedule:
  • The league is played annually during the Australian summer (December to February).
  • Each team plays in a round-robin format, followed by knockout-style finals.