Cricket · Test

ICC Test Team Rankings: cricket's longest format

Test cricket is the oldest and longest format, played over up to five days. The ICC Test rankings rate men's teams on their recent Test series results.

Origin

The first official Test match was played between Australia and England in Melbourne in March 1877.

Fun fact

The Ashes, the Test rivalry between England and Australia, is named after a mock obituary for English cricket printed in 1882; the urn holding the 'ashes' is tiny, just 11 cm tall.

Strongest nations

Australia, India, England, South Africa and New Zealand are the strongest Test nations. Only a dozen teams have full Test status.

Governing body

The International Cricket Council (ICC), which also runs the World Test Championship.