The game of cricket is quite a popular sport around the world and many world-class teams compete at the elite level. The sport originated in southeast England in the 16th century as primarily a children’s game but expanded to a serious contest by adults, who set up teams throughout the English counties in the 17th century after it became popular due to the interest of King Charles II.
The sport, in its primitive form, expanded out to the British-controlled colonies including India, Australia, West Indies, South Africa, and the region that is now known as Pakistan. It is interesting to note that the first-ever international cricket match took place in 1844 between Canada and the United States, two countries that aren’t exactly known for their love of the game. Listed below are three countries whose love of cricket has become part of their respective cultures and why they are fantastic places to visit.
India
The biggest cricket stadium in the world is the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, India, with a current capacity of 132,000. It is located in the western state of Gujarat and is about 400 miles from Jaipur. Ahmedabad has an international airport, so it is a relatively easy destination to get to no matter where you are in the world. India has a rich history and cultural heritage so even if you are initially going there to watch the cricket tournaments, there is so much to see and do in the country and is worthwhile if you have made the time to get there.
Australia
Cricket has become synonymous with Australia and has produced some of the best players of all time. Sir Donald Bradman is considered the greatest cricket player of all time and Australia has gone on to surpass the English in terms of overall wins in most different forms of the game. Anyone interested in T20 World Cup betting will no doubt be looking at the Australian team’s statistics in order to make an informed decision on who is likely to win the championship.
Because Australia is such a vast country, there are many different stadiums dotted around the country, the most famous being the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) in Melbourne, which is host to not only major cricket events but Australian Rules Football, soccer, and rugby league. The venue is easily accessible even if you are situated in the outer suburbs and the inner city itself has enough intrigue and culture to warrant a visit. Sydney in New South Wales has the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) and the city is home to some of the most iconic landmarks in the world, including the Sydney Harbour Bridge and the Sydney Opera House.
England
The originators of cricket and home to some of the most iconic structures in the world, England is a culturally diverse country that has had quite a tumultuous history. Millions of people visit the country each year and a lot of tourists are there to attend sporting events. Lord’s Cricket Ground is located in London and although it only has a capacity of about 31,000, it is still known as the “Home of Cricket”. This internationally famed ground was established in 1814 and it is also home to the oldest cricket museum in the world. Because of the small size of the country compared to that of say, Australia, visiting landmarks such as Stonehenge is a relative stone\’s throw away from the central hub of London.
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