Types of cricket matches

When looking at a cricketer’s profile, you might notice that statisticians categorize player statistics based on the type of matches played. For example, international matches are recorded separately from matches played on national circuits. Currently, there are a maximum of six match types in a player profile. However, there are only three main forms of cricket:

a) First Class

b) one day

c) Twenty 20 (T20)

International records for these three basic forms of cricket are extrapolated by cricket statisticians to provide additional player statistics. Thus, there are practically six forms of cricket:

i) Tests

ii) First class accessories

iii) One Day Internationals

iv) Day trips

v) Twenty 20 International

vi) Twenty 20

To avoid confusion, cricket fans should note that while international matches are specific types of cricket matches, they do fall under the three basic forms of cricket.

Evidence

Tests are considered by cricket experts to be the pinnacle of all forms of cricket. However, Test matches are first-class matches played by international teams. In modern cricket, Tests are five-day matches that require a minimum of 90 overs per day. There are two entrances per side. A team’s innings end once they declare their innings or are eliminated.

Throughout cricket’s history, Tests have been played without time restrictions, in what were the “Timeless Tests”. ICC sanctions Tests: The ICC may strip a match between Test sides of Test status and reduce it to First class status.

first class appliances

First-class matches include tests and domestic matches played in countries that play tests. Matches on the English county circuit and all other domestic circuits (eg Australia, Pakistan, West Indies) are included in this category. First-class competitive domestic matches are normally played over four days. However, some national games may last five or three days (usually warm-ups with international teams). Cricket authorities in Test nations have the authority to sanction first-class matches.

One Dayers

One-days are limited overs matches played by cricket teams over the course of one day. One day games normally require 50 overs, but more than 40 overs can also be played. However, one day matches require a minimum number of overs (20) in each innings to constitute a match. Matches of this type normally do not last more than 8 hours.

one day internationals

ODIs are one day, in which the teams that have ODI status play. The teams that have ODI status are all Test countries and some affiliated nations that have obtained that status. The International Cricket Council (ICC) also grants ODI status to ODIs played between teams in the ICC Cricket World Cup (regardless of ODI status) and also under special circumstances (such as the Super Series). When ODIs began in the early 1970s, 60 overs a side constituted an ODI. That later changed to 50 overs an innings.

twenty 20

T20s require teams to play a maximum of 20 overs per innings. Sometimes rain-affected T20 matches are shortened even further. T20 matches are played over the course of approximately three hours.

twenty 20 international

T20 Internationals are T20 matches played between teams that have ODI status. Team matches without ODI status being played in the ICC World T20 Championship.

Not all forms of cricket that are played are first-class, one-day or T20 games. Cricket is also played at the club level under the auspices of territorial bodies. Cricket boards are not recognized as official cricket matches, but often parallel official cricket matches. Even independent records of these unofficial games should be found.

For example, the West Indies have different independent territories. Club cricket is played in a number of countries. The best club cricketers from Trinidad will compete for selection for the Trinidad and Tobago team (First Class/One Day/T20). From there, a cricketer can aim to win the West Indies selection to play Tests, ODIs and Twenty20 Internationals.