Cricket
Best Cricket Team in the World: Top Teams Ranked (2024)
Who’s the GOAT in cricket? (The debate never ends, does it?) With iconic teams like Australia, India, and England battling it out, crowning the best isn’t easy. From dominating ICC tournaments to thrilling bilateral series, these teams have kept fans hooked for decades.
Image Credits: Alex Davidson-ICC/ICC via Getty Images
Australia is a certified beast in cricket history. Six ICC World Cups and unmatched consistency make them hard to beat. India, on the flip side, blends flair with firepower. Whether it’s their 2011 World Cup win or their star-studded lineup, they know how to bring the heat. And England? The OG cricket pioneers shifted the paradigm in 2019 with their first World Cup win and that epic Bazball Test cricket revolution.
But let’s be real: rankings and trophies are great, but every team has its era of glory. Be it Australia’s legacy, India’s unmatched fandom, or England’s innovations, the cricketing crown keeps shifting. One thing’s for sure: cricket always delivers, no matter who’s on top.
Methodology
To determine the best cricket team, we used a weighted scoring system that considers performance in key ICC tournaments.
Weightage Criteria:
Total Wins (50%): Reflects overall dominance.
ICC Cricket World Cup Wins (30%): Emphasizes the most prestigious tournament.
ICC T20 World Cup Wins (10%): Highlights short-format success.
ICC Champions Trophy Wins (5%): Shows additional limited-overs achievements.
ICC World Test Championship Wins (5%): Highlights Test cricket dominance.
Table:
| Team | ICC World Test Championship | ICC Champions Trophy | ICC Cricket World Cup | ICC T20 World Cup | Total | Score |
| Australia | 1 | 2 | 6 | 1 | 10 | 7.05 |
| India | 0 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 6 | 3.9 |
| West Indies | 0 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 5 | 3.35 |
| Sri Lanka | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 1.95 |
| Pakistan | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 1.95 |
| England | 0 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 2.0 |
| New Zealand | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1.1 |
| South Africa | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0.55 |
Which Is the Best Cricket Team in the World?
Ah, the million-dollar question, folks. Who’s got the cricketing crown? Some argue Australia (with six ICC World Cups) dominates; others cheer for India, blending power and style. England, though? They’ve shaken stuff up with bold moves like Bazball and a 2019 World Cup win that had fans biting their nails.
But here’s the thing: every team brings its flavor, and the "best" depends on what you value: stats, trophies, or straight-up entertainment.
1. Australia
If cricket were a video game, Australia wouldn’t just be the final boss; they’d be the kind that has multiple unbeatable phases. Test, ODI, or T20, doesn’t matter. They’re all about dominance, precision, and records. Having debuted in 1877, this team’s been smashing it on-field ever since.
Australia is a win machine. They’ve crushed 415 Test wins out of 868 matches, practically making the longest format their home turf. Their rivalries – The Ashes, Border-Gavaskar – are like crazy battles that keep cricket fans teetering on the brink.
ODIs? Australia’s got history here too. Six World Cups (yeah, six!) and eight final appearances speak volumes. Plus, back-to-back ICC Champions Trophy wins show they don’t just play cricket – they own it.
And let’s talk about T20s. The 2021 T20 World Cup win against New Zealand proved they can handle the short game with style and smarts. They’ve a total of 10 ICC Titles.
With a SportsBoom score of 7.05, Australia’s combination of wins, World Cup titles, and overall consistency makes them the team to beat. Simply put: in the world of cricket, Australia sets the rules – and everyone else just tries to keep up.
2. India
If cricket had a king, it’s India. Period. India’s sitting on the throne, ruling all formats with style and swagger. Test, ODI, T20 – you name it, Team India dominates it.
With 181 wins out of 586 Test matches, India proves they know how to handle the long game. Their rivalries – Border-Gavaskar, Freedom Trophy, and others – make every match an epic showdown.
ODIs are another stage where India shines bright. Two Cricket World Cups, two Champions Trophy wins, and seven Asia Cups — this team conquers. Also, winning that World Cup on home soil in 2011? Stuff of legends, for real.
In T20s, India delivered the sizzle with two ICC T20 World Cups and wins at the Asia Cup (2016) and Asian Games (2022). Be it smashing sixes or taking quick wickets, they bring the ultimate spice.
With a score of 3.9, India’s mix of wins across key tournaments speaks volumes. In the world of cricket, Team India plays like there’s no tomorrow.
3. West Indies
When cricket had a cool factor, the West Indies were its poster boys. Back in the day (we’re talking late '70s to early ’90s), The Windies owned the pitch like it was their backyard. They they made it look ridiculously easy, all while oozing ‘dat Caribbean flair.
Sure, their rankings today (8th in Tests, 10th in ODIs, and 3rd in T20Is as of July 2024) aren’t exactly, like, brag-worthy, but their legacy? Untouchable. Five ICC trophies in the bag — two Cricket World Cups (1975 and 1979), two T20 World Cups (2012 and 2016), and a Champions Trophy (2004) — they’ve kind of done it all. Fun fact: they were the first team to pull off back-to-back World Cup wins. Beat that, yo!
Plus, the West Indies gave us icons like Viv Richards and Brian Lara. With a SportsBoom Score of 3.35, the Windies might not be at the top now, but their vibes and swagger? Eternal.
4. Sri Lanka
If there’s one team that’s made cricket history their thing, it’s Sri Lanka. These guys went from being the underdogs to literal legends in the ’90s. Their biggest mic-drop moment? The 1996 Cricket World Cup win, where they pulled off a stunner against Australia. Arjuna Ranatunga and his squad were excellent.
And just when you thought their story couldn’t get any better, haha. The Lions have been pretty close to glory on several occasions, finishing as runners-up in back-to-back World Cup finals (2007 and 2011) and twice in the T20 World Cup (2009, 2012). Of course, they finally crushed it in 2014, taking down India to grab the T20 crown. And let’s not forget their Champions Trophy co-win in 2002. These guys know how to show up for the big tournaments.
With a SportsBoom Score of 1.95, they might not lead the charts today, but their legacy is untouchable. Oh, and they also hold the record for the highest Test total ever — just in case you forgot their batting lineup can go absolutely ballistic.
From producing GOATs like Muralitharan and Sangakkara to rewriting cricket history, Sri Lanka doesn’t just play — they roar. For this team, cricket’s pure, unfiltered passion.
5. Pakistan
Pakistan’s cricket team’s a mix of grit, resilience, and flair. Having represented the nation since 1952 under the Pakistan Cricket Board, they’ve made waves across Tests, ODIs, and T20s.
They’ve had their highs: winning the ICC Cricket World Cup in 1992, the Asia Cup in 2000, and later adding the T20 World Cup in 2009, the Champions Trophy in 2017, and several Asia Cup wins. Pakistan’s win percentages are impressive too: second in T20s, fourth in ODIs, and fourth-best win-loss ratios in Test cricket.
But let’s not ignore the challenges. Security concerns and domestic instability, stemming from past conflicts and terrorism, pushed international cricket out of the country for years. The team played ODIs and Tests primarily in the UAE until 2016 and 2019 respectively. Yet, the landscape changed post-2016, thanks to the debut of the Pakistan Super League, signaling a safer, brighter cricket era back on home soil.
With a SportsBoom Score of 1.95, Pakistan’s dominance in global tournaments speaks volumes. Their resilience and passion remind everyone that cricket in Pakistan is a battle of spirit, strategy, and unstoppable determination.
6. England
England’s cricket squad? A mix of grit, flair, and unshakeable spirit. A founding member of the ICC, they’ve been bringing heat in Test, ODI, and T20 cricket for ages. With 400 Test wins out of 1,082 matches, they’ve got The Ashes urn 32 times, flexing their Test supremacy.
In limited-overs cricket, they’ve got swagger. Remember their 2019 Cricket World Cup win? That iconic moment finally saw them bag the trophy after chasing it for ages. Plus, there are two ICC T20 World Cups (2010 and 2022) in their trophy cabinet.
Their SportsBoom Score of 2.0 highlights their strong showings across all major ICC tournaments. With 3rd in Test, 7th in ODIs, and 4th in T20Is, England’s downright dominating.
Blending legacy, aggression, and strategy, England’s cricket team is a combo of tradition and next-gen hustle. Whether it’s smashing sixes or making epic comebacks, they keep reminding everyone: England isn’t just a team; it’s a statement.
7. New Zealand
The Black Caps play it with style, grit, and a “never say die” attitude. From a 26-year wait for their first Test win to becoming global threats, New Zealand’s journey cranked up the intensity.
They’ve secured the ICC World Test Championship in 2021 and snagged the ICC Champions Trophy back in 2000. Plus, they’ve made it to two Cricket World Cup finals and even a T20 World Cup final. Not bad for a team that just loves to show up and throw down.
With a SportsBoom Score of 1.1, they bring serious fight across all formats. Ranked 5th in Tests, 5th in ODIs, and 4th in T20Is, they keep it cool under pressure and bring the energy every single match.
In a nutshell, New Zealand cricket’s all about passion, persistence, and that signature Black Caps swag. Win or lose, they bring the fire, keeping every game intense and every opponent on their toes.
8. South Africa
If cricket were a battle, South Africa would bring the raw intensity and never-back-down attitude. Known as the Proteas (shoutout to the King Protea flower), this team brings a mix of grit, talent, and that unstoppable spirit.
South Africa stormed in back in 1888–89 when they hosted England. Early days weren’t exactly dominant, but by the first decade of the 20th century, they were ready to take on the world. Then came a long international ban due to apartheid. But once that stuff ended in 1991, they roared back, playing top-level matches against teams like India, Pakistan, and the West Indies.
Despite not snagging an ICC Cricket World Cup or ICC T20 World Cup yet, they nailed the ICC Champions Trophy in 1998. Plus, with a 61% win rate in ODIs, they’re no slouch in limited-overs cricket.
With a SportsBoom Score of 0.55, the Proteas keep showing that they’re a team to watch. South Africa’s cricket team’s all about passion, power, and that never-give-an-inch attitude. They’ve got the history, the fight, and that Proteas spirit that keeps them pushing for glory every single match.
SportBoom Suggestion
Picture this: cricket is a battlefield, and Australia is the undefeated champion at the top of the hill. They don’t just play the game, folks — they rewrite its rules and then dominate. Test, ODI, T20 — name the format, and they’ll bring dominance, records, and precision that others can only dream of.
With 415 Test wins out of 868 matches, they’re a force to be reckoned with. In ODIs, they’ve crushed 26 wins out of 50 matches, while their T20 game flaunts 50 wins.Also, their 6 ICC World Cups and 8 Champions Trophy appearances — serious hardware collectors.
Australia’s got a 7.05 SportsBoom Score, setting the standard and making sure everyone else just tries to keep up. They don’t just play cricket; they redefine it.
Simply put: Australia’s all about a winning mindset that turns every match into a masterclass of skill, strategy, and swagger.
An M.A. in English Literature, Subhayan is an experienced journalist and sports writer. Having worked as a journalist at Hindustan Times, Subhayan covered diverse beats including sports, education, and health, showcasing his versatility and in-depth understanding of various subjects.