Teams
Today international teams play 3 formats of the sport -- Tests, ODIs, and 20-20. All 3 formats are so diverse from each other that some teams are stronger in one format, but not in others.
Below are some brief overviews of each international cricket team:
While Australia have dominated test and ODI cricket for the last decade and a half, India are the 20-20 champions of the world. The West Indies were the first ever ODI champions winning the world cup 1975 and defending it successfully 4 years later. The West Indies dominated test and ODI cricket for almost 2 decades, till Australia toppled them in the mid 1990s to stake claim to the top spot. Australia is currently the number 1 team in test cricket and has also won the last 3 ODI World Cups.
During their decade and a half of dominance, Australia have always been challenged by South Africa who remain the number 2 side in tests and ODIs. For brief moments in between South Africa have also held the number 1 spot, however Australia have always been fast in taking that back. South Africa emerged into the cricket scene in 1991 after 22 years of being banned due to the apartheid. However, it didn't take them long to stamp their authority on the world of cricket.
India have always been a strong contender at home where they have dominated against and beaten all opponents; however their foreign tours have only recently started to be successful. India was historically known as a poor traveler, but with the emergence of high quality fast bowlers and better batsmen, India have also been successful outside their comfort zone. Today they threaten both Australia and South Africa at the top spot, which could very soon be India's, both in tests and ODIs.
The West Indies have had it tough since their days of ruling cricket ended in the mid 1990s. The departure of big names in the 80s really impacted the West Indies, and they have not been able to get back to that same level since then. These days they have become fiercer competitors, however still remain one of the weaker sides in international cricket.
Pakistan has always been regarded as the most unpredictable team in cricket, much like the country itself. They blow hot one day and really cold on another. On their day they can play like champions and beat the best of teams, while on another they can lose to the weakest of all teams. During the 80s and 90s they constantly challenged the West Indies and Australia and their bilateral test series were always regarded as the world championship of test cricket. However, since the turn of the century Pakistan has not been the same. Controversies and other external factors have affected the team with hardly any matches played at home, while the loss of bigger names has also resulted in their downfall. They still remain one of the most talented cricket nations and one that always put up an exciting show due to their unpredictable nature.
England, the owners of the game, who brought the sport into the world are just that. The custodians. They have never won an ODI World Cup and have never been the top test side in the world. For a long time now they have been regarded as an average team. Better at the pure form of the game, England has never really learned the art of ODI and 20-20 cricket and that is largely due to their system that emphasizes on nurturing and producing "proper cricketers".
New Zealand is probably the most underrated team in the world. They have always been strong contenders, but they have never been the best. New Zealand is what a team should really be. They've got a bunch of cricketers who come together and produce good cricket as a team. They have no individual stars, and have had very few in the past, but as a team they have always been very competitive.
Sri Lanka for a long time were the minnows of world cricket. During the 80s and early 90s they were considered a-walk-in-the-park by all international teams. A tri-series in Australia in 1995-96 changed all that overnight as the Lankans surprised the opposition with aggressive stroke play at the top of the innings. "100 in the first 15 overs" was probably heard for the first time from the Sri Lankan camp. Such a good season they had then, that they went on to win the 1996 World Cup. Since then, Sri Lanka has been one of the top teams in international cricket.
Bangladesh and Zimbabwe are the minnows of the cricket world today and are still trying to make a mark for themselves in the international arena.
