How Many Cricket Teams are there in the World? Listing all the 12 Test-playing nations

ICC Test-playing nations – an overview

Afghanistan National Cricket Team 

The Afghanistan men's national cricket team represents Afghanistan on the international cricket stage. The Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) was established in 1995 with support from the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB). In 2001, Afghanistan gained affiliate membership with the ICC and in 2003, it became a member of the Asian Cricket Council (ACC). After nearly a decade of active participation in international cricket, Afghanistan reached a pivotal moment on June 22, 2017, when they were granted full ICC Membership.

Bangladesh National Cricket Team

The Bangladesh men's national cricket team became an associate member of the ICC in 1977, before becoming a Full Member in 2000. Their first Test match was against India in November 2000, years after their first ODI in 1986 against Pakistan. Run by the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB), the team has made six appearances in the ODI World Cup and eight appearances in the T20 World Cup.

Sri Lankan National Cricket Team

The Sri Lanka men's national cricket team was granted associate membership with the ICC in 1965. A significant milestone was achieved in 1981 when the team was elevated to Test status, becoming the eighth nation in the world to participate in Test cricket. 
Sri Lanka won the Cricket World Cup in 1996 and the ICC T20 World Cup in 2014. They also co-won the ICC Champions Trophy in 2002 with India.

New Zealand National Cricket Team

The New Zealand men's national cricket team became a Full Member in 1926. They played their first Test in 1930 against England, but had to wait until 1956 for their first Test victory, against the West Indies in Auckland.

New Zealand won the inaugural World Test Championship in 2021 and the ICC KnockOut Trophy in 2000. They have participated in two World Cup finals and one T20 World Cup final.

West Indies National Cricket Team

The West Indies men's cricket team, which has been a Full Member of the ICC since 1926, represent the primarily English-speaking nations and territories situated in the Caribbean region. This team is under the governance of Cricket West Indies.

During a significant period spanning from the mid to late 1970s through the early 1990s, the West Indies cricket team held a dominant position in the global cricketing landscape, excelling in both Test and ODI formats.

They have won the ODI World Cup twice in 1975 and 1979, the T20 World Cup twice in 2012 and 2016, and the ICC Champions Trophy once in 2004. Unfortunately, they are not a part of the 2023 ODI World Cup after failing to win the Qualifiers tournament. 

Ireland National Cricket Team

Ireland men’s cricket team became an Associate Member of the ICC in 1993 and Full Member in 2017. They played their historic first Test against Pakistan in May 2018. They have participated in seven editions of the T20 World Cup since 2009, while also appearing in three editions of the ODI World Cup.

Zimbabwe National Cricket Team

Zimbabwe became an Associate Member of the ICC in 1981 and has been a Full Member since 1992. They played their first Test against India in Harare in 1992, and the first ODI against Australia in 1983. They have also participated in nine editions of the World Cup, with their best performances coming in 1999 and 2003, when they reached the Super Six stage.

Pakistan National Cricket Team

The Pakistan national cricket team has been a Full Member of the ICC since 1952. They won their first international trophy, the ODI World Cup in 1992, eight years after which they won the Asia Cup in 2000. In 2009, they won the T20 World Cup, followed by a second Asia Cup win in 2012, and the ICC Champions Trophy in 2017.

Indian National Cricket Team

India acquired the Test status in 1926. They played their first international match on 25 June 1932 in Lord’s against England in a Test. But it was only after 20 years, in 1952, when they won their first Test match.

India have won the Cricket World Cup twice (1983 and 2011), the T20 World Cup once (2007) and the ICC Champions Trophy twice (2002 and 2013). India are also the most successful team in Asia Cup history, having won the tournament eight times, in 1984, 1988, 1990, 1995, 2010, 2016, 2018, 2023, while finishing runners-up in 1997, 2004 and 2008. 

Australian National Cricket Team

Australia, along with England, is the joint oldest team in Test cricket history, having played its first Test in 1876. Known as a cricketing powerhouse, especially in ODIs, Australia have won the ODI World Cup a record five times –1987, 1999, 2003, 2007 and 2015, while appearing in the final of the tournament a record seven times - 1975, 1987, 1996, 1999, 2003, 2007 and 2015.

Until their group stage match against Pakistan at the 2011 World Cup, Australia were undefeated in 34 consecutive World Cup matches. Australia have also won the ICC Champions Trophy twice (2006 and 2009) and the T20 World Cup in 2021.

England National Cricket Team

The England men's cricket team serves as the representative cricket team for both England and Wales. As mentioned above, England and Australia were the teams that contested the first-ever Test match, which was played from 15th to 19th March in 1877. Additionally, along with South Africa, these nations established the Imperial Cricket Conference, which, over the years, grew into ICC.

The England men's cricket team reached the final of the Cricket World Cup on four occasions, in 1979, 1987, 1992, and most notably, clinched their first World Cup victory in 2019. In addition to their World Cup achievements, they secured the runner-up position in two ICC Champions Trophies, in 2004 and 2013. They also won the T20 World Cup in 2010 and 2022.

South African Cricket Team

South Africa has been a Full Member of the ICC since 1909. South Africa played their first official Test match against England in 1889, becoming the third nation after England and Australia to do so. However, they were excluded from international cricket due to apartheid policies from 1970 until 1991. During this period, they were excluded from all forms of international cricket, including Test matches and the Cricket World Cup.

Following the end of apartheid, South Africa made its return to international cricket in 1991. Their first Test series after reintegration was against the West Indies. Major achievements – winning the 1998 Champions Trophy, reaching the semi-finals of the Cricket World Cup in 1992, 1999, 2007 and 2015, and reaching the semi-final of the 2009 and 2014 T20 World Cup.