Oldest Cricket Tournaments in the World

Cricket is believed to have originated in England, with the first recorded instance of the game dating back to the 16th century. It evolved from earlier bat-and-ball games played in medieval times. The game gained popularity in the 17th and 18th centuries, especially among the rural and nobility populations. Cricket started to be organized into formal matches during the 17th century. 

The first known reference to a cricket match between two teams occurred in 1697. The game continued to develop rules and regulations, and the first written laws of cricket, known as the “Articles of Agreement,” were drawn up in 1744

Cricket’s popularity grew during the 18th century, particularly in England. It spread to other parts of the British Empire, including India, Australia, and the Caribbean, through colonialism and British influence. The Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC), founded in 1787, played a significant role in standardizing the game’s laws and promoting its growth.

The first international cricket match took place in 1844 when the United States played against Canada. In 1877, England and Australia competed in the first-ever Test match, which marked the beginning of Test cricket. The International Cricket Council (ICC) was formed in 1909 to govern the sport globally. 

Cricket has continued to grow in popularity, and several major international tournaments have been established, including the Cricket World Cup (since 1975), the ICC Champions Trophy (from 1998 to 2017), and the ICC World Twenty20 (since 2007).

However, there are very few cricket tournaments that are still in the picture and fans still get the opportunity to witness them live.

1) The Ashes

In 1882, England suffered a shock defeat against Australia at The Oval in London. A satirical obituary was published, stating that English cricket had died and “the body will be cremated and the ashes taken to Australia.” This led to the birth of the famous Ashes series between England and Australia, which has become one of the oldest and most iconic rivalries in cricket. As of 2023, there have been 340 Ashes Tests played, with England winning 108, Australia winning 140, and 92 drawn. 

The Ashes is a fiercely contested series, always one of the most anticipated events in the cricket calendar. The series is often played in a good-natured spirit, but there is always a sense of rivalry between the two teams.

2) The County Championship

The County Championship, also known as the County Championship of England and Wales, is the oldest domestic first-class cricket competition in the world. It began in 1890 and has played a crucial role in developing cricket in England and Wales. The idea for the County Championship originated from the efforts of several cricket enthusiasts, including the influential player and administrator Lord Hawke. 

They believed that a more structured and competitive approach to cricket was needed to raise the standard of the game and provide a platform for talented players to showcase their skills. The inaugural County Championship season took place in 1890, with eight county teams participating: Derbyshire, Essex, Hampshire, Kent, Lancashire, Middlesex, Nottinghamshire, and Surrey.

3) The Sheffield Shield

The Sheffield Shield was established in 1892 as a tribute to Lord Sheffield, who donated the trophy for the competition. The aim was to create a high-quality domestic tournament that would foster the development of Australian cricket and provide a pathway for talented players to represent their country. 

The inaugural season of the Sheffield Shield took place in 1892-1893 and involved four teams: New South Wales, Victoria, South Australia, and Queensland. Tasmania joined the competition in the following season (1893-1894).