Where is cricket played the most in the world?

Cricket is one of the most popular sports in the world, but its influence and popularity is most strongly felt in a handful of particularly cricket-mad countries. Most of these belong to the Commonwealth of Nations, and were introduced to the sport during their colonisation by the British Empire, over the course of the 18^th, 19^th and 20^th centuries. The International Cricket Council (ICC) is the main international governing body of cricket, and today has 12 full member countries and 104 associate member countries on its books. In this article we’ll take a look at the countries where cricket is played more than any other in the world.

1. India: Of all the countries in the world, India has the largest cricket fan base and infrastructure. The sport is deeply ingrained in Indian culture is immensely popular across all levels of society. A grudge match against rivals Pakistan is sure to attract millions of viewers in the heavily-populated country, and the domestic Indian Premier League (IPL – the highest-profile of its kind in the world) draws similar viewing figures. The league is watched by several hundred million viewers every single week, making it the most watched cricket league anywhere in the world.
2. England: Cricket was invented in England, so it follows that the country’s cricketing history is a rich and influential one. To this day it remains one of the major cricketing nations in the world, with a dedicated domestic following. Unlike India, English league cricket is typically only available to watch via expensive satellite TV packages, earning it a modern-day reputation as a sport for the elite, rather than the masses. But cricket grounds in England and Wales are often sold out for international games, ODIs and T20s – not to mention the Ashes, a test match with arch-rivals Australia which is hosted in turn by both countries every other year. So the sport undoubtedly still commands a huge fanbase in the so-called birthplace of cricket.
3. Australia: Cricket is one of the most popular sports in Australia, and the country has a strong cricketing tradition. Cricket matches in Australia have impressively high attendance and viewership, and the Big Bash League (BBL) attracts nearly 500,000 people to stadiums across the country every season. The Australian national team has dominated test cricket matches over the past decades as well, with the highest percentage of matches won on record for a national cricket team. Little wonder the sport has such a devoted gathering Down Under.
4. Sri Lanka: While it isn’t the national sport of Sri Lanka, cricket is definitely the most popular sport in the country – especially in its shorter, one-day format – and the country has produced several world-class players over the years. The sport is also practiced at an amateur level by millions of Sri Lankans.  The Lanka Premier League is a major draw for fans in the region, and players like Angelo Matthews and Kumar Sangakkara are guaranteed to attract viewers week in, week out with their entertaining on-pitch performances. The Sri Lankan national cricket team hit its peak in the 90’s, culminating in a World Cup victory in 1996.
5. New Zealand: New Zealand has a smaller population than neighbouring Australia, but boasts a passionate cricketing community and a competitive national team nonetheless, with over 200 professional players currently registered. The island nation is increasingly a force to be reckoned with in international test cricket, having won several major tournaments over the years, including the inaugural World Test Championship.
6. South Africa: As of this year, cricket is the second most popular sport among adults in South Africa after soccer, having moved up from third position ahead of rugby. The sport has undergone a tremendous growth and over two million South Africans now express interest in cricket. Famous South African cricketers include AB de Villiers, Dale Steyn, Shaun Pollock and Jacques Kallis.

This list only scratches the surface of cricket’s influence on countries around the world, and other nations where the sport is disproportionately popular include Bangladesh, Pakistan, the West Indies and – perhaps not as obviously – Afghanistan, whose cricketing scene has been coming on in leaps and bounds, earning the country Test status in recent years. Cricket’s popularity around the world shows no sign of slowing down, especially in former UK colonies and – increasingly – Asia. It may not be one of the fastest-growing sports in the world, but it is well-established and a guaranteed money-maker for professional leagues and broadcasters. As the sport’s popularity and exposure continues to grow, expect to see some changes to this list of nations where cricket is played and enjoyed more than anywhere else in the world.