Biggest Cricket Tournaments in the World

CRICKET is one of the most popular sports in the UK. As such, it should come as no surprise that cricket betting continues to grow. This is, in part, thanks to the top competitions.

The sport is played at both a domestic and international level, with punters being able to bet on teams and players from the men’s and women’s game. Whether it be the World Cup, Indian Premier League, The Hundred or The Ashes, pre-match live and outright markets are offered by online bookmakers for cricket. On this page, we will discuss the best cricket events for betting. 

Biggest cricket tournaments

1. ICC Cricket World Cup - (October 5 - November 19, 2023, India)
2. ICC Champions Trophy - (February 2025, Pakistan)
3. Ashes Series - (June 16 - July 31, 2023, England)
4. Indian Premier League -(March 31 – May 28, 2023, India)
5. Asia Cup - (September 2 - 17, 2023, Pakistan)
6. Border-Gavaskar Trophy - (February 9 - March 22, 2023, India)
7. T20 World Cup - (June 2024, United States)

A closer look at the 7 most important cricket tournaments

Below, we 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, while they are also the current champions. India will host the next World Cup in 2023, with the 10 top cricketing nations set to battle it out. 

The current odds for the ICC World Cup with bet365are:

• India - 11/5
• England - 3/1
• Australia - 4/1
• Pakistan - 7/1
• South Africa - 10/1
• New Zealand - 15/2
• Sri Lanka - 18/1
• Bangladesh - 40/1
• West Indies - 22/1
• Afghanistan - 100/1

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. 

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 72 Ashes series to date, with Australia having won 34 times, compared to England’s 32. The Ashes will return to England in 2023, with the hosts having not 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. 

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. Australia
2. India
3. New Zealand

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.

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 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, 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?

If you are still wondering just which bookies are the best for cricket betting, then be sure to take a look at the three recommended below:

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. 

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

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 BetUKand bet365score 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 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.

Remember to gamble responsibly

A responsible gambler is someone who:

• Establishes time and monetary limits before playing
• Only gambles with money they can afford to lose
• Never chase their losses
• Doesn’t gamble if they’re upset, angry, or depressed

For help with a gambling problem, call the National Gambling Helpline on 0808 8020 133 or go to www.gamstop.co.uk to be excluded from all UK-regulated gambling websites.