The Biggest cricket competitions in the world

THE evenings are getting lighter, the temperatures are rising and there's a smell of freshly cut grass in the air. That can only mean one thing… the cricket season is back!

It's traditionally that time of year when I dust off my gloves, study my technique and then promptly blame the pitch for getting clean bowled by a complete amateur on debut.

Don't laugh, it happens every year...

But while seven spectators and their dogs are watching me drop the simplest of catches, millions across the UK and indeed the world are tuned in to elite-level cricket and the biggest competitions on the planet.

Whether it be the World Cup, Indian Premier League, The Hundred or The Ashes - there's a format and tournament for everyone with pre-match live and outright markets are offered by online bookmakers for cricket. On this page, I'll let you know some of my favourite cricket competitions.

Biggest cricket tournaments

1. ICC Cricket World Cup
2. ICC Champions Trophy
3. Ashes Series
4. Indian Premier League
5. Asia Cup
6. Border-Gavaskar Trophy
7. T20 World Cup

A closer look at the 8 most important cricket tournaments

Below, I will take a closer look at the top cricket competitions from around the world. 

1. ICC Cricket World Cup

Launched in 1975, the Cricket World Cup is a One Day international competition that takes place every four years. England hosted the inaugural event, but Australia are by far the most dominant side in the competition's history having won it a record SIX times. The 2027 renewal will take place in South Africa with a change to the format, which has been expanded to 14 nations.

2. ICC Champions Trophy

Established in 1998, the Champions Trophy is another ODI cricket competition organised by the ICC. Also held every four years, the event features 8 teams, with the next tournament set to take place in Pakistan in 2025. India and Australia have two successes to date, with the competition having been kept running due to its popularity, despite numerous attempts to replace it. In fact, it was scrapped following Pakistan's win in 2017, but has since been reinstated.

3. Ashes Series

When it comes to Test cricket, there is no bigger matchup than England vs Australia. Dating back to 1882, there have been 73 Ashes series to date, with Australia having won 34 times, compared to England’s 32. The Ashes will return to Australia in 2025, with the visitors not having won the series since 2015. 

4. Indian Premier League

The Indian Premier League (IPL) is the biggest domestic cricket competition in the world. Founded in 2007, the IPL also offers the largest prize pool in cricket, at over $2 million. The 10 teams involved pay big money to acquire top talent, with the likes of the Mumbai Indians and Chennai Super Kings being among the standout franchises. 

5. Asia Cup

The Asia Cup is an ODI competition that was established in 1983. The event features a group stage, followed by knockout rounds. Only ACC member nations can compete, which includes India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, United Arab Emirates and Afghanistan. The tournament now alternates between One Day and T20 formats.

6. Border-Gavaskar Trophy

This is the international Test series that takes place between India and Australia. The two have long been at the top of the cricketing world. The first edition took place in 1996, with India having 11 titles to its name to date. 

7. T20 World Cup

Held every two years, the T20 World Cup was launched in 2007. Featuring 20 teams, the competition is made up of the Super 12 stage, followed by the semi-finals and final. The next T20 World Cup will be hosted by the West Indies and United States in 2024. The T20 World Cup is known for big hitting and huge levels of entertainment.

The history of cricket tournaments

The history of cricket dates back to 1500s. It became England’s national sport in the 1800s, which was also the time in which international matches first took place. In fact, the first Test match between England and Australia was held in 1882. However, many of the cricket competitions that we discuss on this page were established over recent years. The IPL, Big Bash, The Hundred and T20 World Cup were all launched after the turn of the millennium. 

What types of cricket competitions are there?

Cricket competitions today come in a host of formats. Test, One Day and T20 are the most common. 

T20 Rankings

T20 cricket is widely regarded as the most entertaining. With teams having just 20 overs to score as many runs as possible, fans should expect big hitting and bails flying. The Indian Premier League and T20 World Cup are among the leading competitions in this format of the game. 

1. India
2. New Zealand
3. England

ODI Rankings

One Day International matches are played over a total of 100 overs. Each team has 50 overs to score as many runs as possible. Scores vary significantly, with England holding the record for the highest ODI score, at 498 vs Netherlands in 2022 The ODI World Cup is held every four years, with India being the hosts in 2023.

1. India
2. Australia
3. South Africa

Test Rankings

Played over five days, Test matches remain the most popular for many cricket fans. While you do not get the big hitting of T20 clashes, Test matches involve more strategy. However, they can be over in 2-3 days, should one team lose quick wickets. The Ashes, played between England and Australia, is arguably the standout Test encounter. However, matches involving other nations take place throughout the year.

1. Australia
2. India
3. England

What is the biggest cricket tournament in the world?

The Cricket World Cup is commonly regarded as the biggest cricket tournament around. Organised by the ICC, the event is held every four years. Matches are played in a one-day format, with each team having 50 overs to score as many runs as possible. England won on home soil in 2019, with the leading cricketing nations heading to India in 2023 to battle it out once again.

Who is the biggest cricket player in the world right now?

Each cricketing nation has a few players who are known across the globe. In the men’s game, the likes of Jasprit Bumrah, Rashid Khan, Joe Root, Steve Smith and Quinton de Kock stand out. Meanwhile, Alyssa Healy, Beth Mooney, Nat Sciver-Brunt and Laura Wolvaardt are among the biggest talents from women’s cricket. 

Who is the best cricket player in England?

This is a topic of debate for cricket fans across the country. It is difficult to name just one player when answering this question. Ben Stokes is one player that immediately comes to mind. Meanwhile, the likes of Joe Root, Jimmy Anderson and Stuart Broad also earn honourable mentions. When it comes to up-and-coming talents, there is no one better than Harry Brook.

What are the best cricket leagues in the world?

Cricket leagues are hugely popular to bet on. The number of leagues taking place across the globe is increasing. However, the following are the most appealing to betting customers:

Indian Premier League

Founded in 2007, the IPL is the world’s leading domestic cricket league. Held annually, the league now comprises 10 teams. The T20 format adds to the entertainment, with the best white-ball players from around the world being snapped up by the teams involved. 

Bangladesh Premier League

Established in 2012, the Bangladesh Premier League is another domestic T20 cricket league. Featuring just 7 teams, the competition does not have the same status as the IPL. The Comilla Victorians are the most successful team in the history of the league, having won the title four times. 

Big Bash

Launched in 2011, the Big Bash is Australia’s version of the IPL. Made up of 8 teams in both the men’s and women’s versions of the event, the Big Bash also features top talent from around the world. 

What are the 5 most important cricket terms?

The most important betting terms in cricket, that are specific to cricket are:

1. Batter / batsman
2. Run
3. Duck
4. Boundary
5. Maiden Over

What is the prize money for the biggest cricket tournaments?

When it comes to prize money, there is one competition that stands out above all others. The Indian Premier League (IPL) is now worth $2.43 million, making it the biggest franchise in cricket in this area. The Test World Championship ($1.6 million) and T20 World Cup ($1.6 million) are its closest competitors when it comes to prize money.

Can I bet on the biggest cricket competitions?

Absolutely. All of the most popular cricket competitions from around the world are available to bet on. In the majority of cases, you can bet on the winner of tournaments months in advance. Meanwhile, during the event, you can place both pre-match and live bets. The number of available markets is increasing too. 

What are the most popular cricket betting markets?

When betting on cricket at the best betting sites, you can take advantage of pre-match, live and outright markets. The total number of markets is increasing. However, there are some that attract more attention from punters than others. The following are the most popular cricket betting markets:

• Match winner
• Total Runs
• Top Batsman
• Highest Opening Partnership
• To Win the Toss
• Total Sixes
• Method of First Wicket

Where can I bet on the top cricket tournaments?

I've found that odds on cricket can fluctuate wildly between bookmakers, and some offer only minimal markets even on the most popular cricket tournaments around the world. But after much trial and error, I've selected what I believe to be the best three sports bookies for cricket betting including Bet UK, Spreadex and bet365.

1. BetUK

At BetUK, cricket is one of the most in-depth sports. Both men’s and women’s competitions are covered, including everything from The Ashes and Indian Premier League to Women’s Premier League and The Hundred. Odds are among the best around, particularly when it comes to outright markets. £30 in free bets are up for grabs to new players too, with regular specials and expert betting tips also being found. 

2. Spreadex

Offering both spread and fixed odds cricket betting, SpreadEx covers the sport in great detail. Live streaming is available on selected competitions, with an efficient app being available to download on both iOS and Android devices. New punters betting £25 will earn £50 in bonuses, with plenty of cricket markets being ava

3. bet365

bet365 is the world’s leading online bookmaker. As such, it should come as no surprise that cricket is one of their priorities. Both domestic and international competitions are covered. Meanwhile, regular cricket price boosts are on offer. No betting site features more cricket markets than bet365. Meanwhile, you can claim £30 in free bets when registering an account. 

Which bookie has the best cricket tournament odds?

Punters will want to know that they are taking advantage of nothing but the very best cricket odds. Having compared odds on the 2023 World Cup, it is clear to see just which bookies offer the best cricket prices. The likes of BetUK and bet365 score highest in this area, especially when it comes to outright odds on competition winners.

Our top 5 tips for betting on the biggest cricket competitions

In order to give yourself the best possible chance of profiting from cricket betting, be sure to take the following tips on board:

1. Specialise in certain competitions - Being an expert across the board when it comes to cricket is difficult. As such, it is better to focus on one or a select few competitions. For example, if you follow English cricket, bet on matches from the County Championship or Ashes Series.
2. Do your homework - Before confirming any cricket bet, ensure that you have carried out the necessary research. Online, you can find out the recent form, team news, head to head records and league standing of clubs and countries. 
3. Set a budget - Remember to only ever bet what you can afford to lose. So, set yourself a budget, based on your disposable income. Never chase losses! 
4. Target live markets - If it is value you are looking for, then in-play cricket markets may be the way to go. If you are prepared to be patient, you will often find more appealing odds once the first ball has been bowled. 
5. Utilise promotions - A host of promotions cater for those betting on cricket online today. When the terms and conditions are fair, be sure to take advantage. Free bets, price boosts and acca insurance are among the most common.