While not as widespread elsewhere, cricket is practically a religion in the countries where it is played, such as the United Kingdom.
The likes of England, Australia, India, New Zealand, and Pakistan all count among its many avid fan bases. Cricket has some of the most diverse tournament calendars of any sport due to its many formats, making it an intriguing option for gamblers.
We’ll examine the background of a handful of the most well-known cricket events around the world and who knows, it might be worth a shot to know more before you head to the top cricket betting sites to place your wagers.
ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup
It is generally agreed that the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup is the most renowned cup in cricket. Every four years since its inception in 1975, the ODI competition has taken place.
The ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup has maintained its status as the premier cricket tournament despite the rise in popularity of other forms of the game in the early 21st century. Ten squads will face-off in the tournament’s elimination and round-robin stages.
ICC Champions Trophy
Since its founding in 1998 as the ICC Knockout Tournament, the ICC Champions Trophy has undergone significant transformations to become what it is today.
Every four years there is a competition that is contested in the one-day international format. Due to the ICC’s desire to have only one main award across all three cricket formats, the tournament was cancelled in 2017. Although this decision was changed in 2021, the event is scheduled to resume in 2025.
T20 World Cup
Since its inception in 2007, the T20 World Cup has become one of the most prestigious cricket competitions. The T20 format has seen a meteoric growth in appeal, and the players participating in this game are among the very best cricket players in the world. In the same cycle as the ICC World Cup, every four years there is a Twenty20 World Cup that top cricket betting sites fans are very much excited about.
The Ashes
The Ashes is the longest-running international cricket series. The best-of-five test series between Australia and England occurs every two years. The competition is rotated among the teams. The whole process usually takes a month, with each test requiring five days.
The competition attracts a lot of attention in both countries and is often regarded as a top-tier test series. Since both Australia and England are two of the strongest cricket squads in the world, fans and gamblers alike tend to put a lot of money into the series.
Indian Premier League
Among cricket leagues, the Indian Premier League (IPL) has the largest global fan base. Established in 2008, the league has since risen to become the most prestigious Twenty20 tournament worldwide.
One of the largest sporting events in the world, it attracts an annual global viewership of approximately 400 million people. The Mumbai Indians are the most successful team in the history of the tournament, which has ten clubs.
Since games in the IPL and the Australian Big Bash League are typically shorter and more offensively oriented, they may be ideal for fans who are just discovering the ropes of cricket betting.
Asia Cup
The Asia Cup tournament is one of a kind because the rules change every time. T20 events are currently alternated with ODI tournaments. In the tournament’s history, which began in 1984, India has had the most success, having won seven times.
The Australian Tri-Series
Another well-attended competition that has sadly been discontinued is the Australian Tri-series. Australia used to host an annual cricket competition known as the Tri-Series, in which they would face off against two visiting squads. India, Pakistan, and England, among others, have all made appearances over the years. The most recent one was in 2015, and there has been no word on whether or not it will be held again.
Final Thoughts
These competitions are not just some of the most entertaining in cricket, but also among the most thrilling everywhere. Whether or not you are an avid cricket fan, betting on some of the world’s greatest tournaments can provide an experience like no other, and signing up at the top cricket betting sites could prove to be a fantastic thing to do today.