There are several Test playing countries in the world, and yet, only a few have managed to be known among the world’s best cricket teams. Determining the best teams involves considering not just their overall match victories but also their success in ICC tournaments. Check out the best team in each of the three cricket formats.
Top Countries Which is Best in Cricket
Australia
Win percentage in all three formats
| Tests | ODIs | T20Is |
| 64.04 | 63.50 | 62.01 |
Australian cricket team is widely regarded as the best cricket team in the world across formats. The team has a rich history of success, winning numerous ICC Cricket World Cups in both the 50-over and 20-over formats. In Test cricket, Australia has been a dominant force, frequently topping the ICC Test rankings and boasting a winning record against most other cricketing nations.
Australia sits right at the top of the list of teams with most number of wins in Test cricket. From 1877 to 2004, Australia have won 414 of the 866 matches they have played. Coming to the World Test Championship, which is considered the biggest tournament in the Test format, Australia are the currently champions, having defeated India in the 2023 final.
They are also the most successful team in the 50-over format, having won 609 out of 1000 matches. The team has reached the World Cup final eight times (1975, 1987, 1996, 1999, 2003, 2007, 2015, and 2023), securing six victories in total in 1987, 1999, 2003, 2007, 2015, and 2023. Australia made history by being the first and only team to appear in four consecutive World Cup finals from 1996 to 2007. Additionally, Australia is the only team to have won three consecutive World Cups, in 1999, 2003, and 2007.
In the shortest format, the team has competed in 188 matches, securing 100 victories and facing 81 defeats. The team won the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup once, defeating New Zealand in the 2021 final.
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India
Win percentage in all three formats
| Tests | ODIs | T20Is |
| 50.00 | 55.73 | 66.90 |
The second-best cricket team in the world is India. The team played its first Test match against England at Lord’s Cricket Ground in London on June 25, 1932. This milestone marked the team’s debut as the sixth nation to receive Test cricket status. In the traditional long-form game, India has participated in 579 matches, with a record of 178 wins, 178 losses, and 222 draws. The team finished as runners-up in both editions of the World Test Championship.
India’s ODI cricket record includes playing 1,055 matches, with 559 victories and 443 defeats. The team has twice won the Cricket World Cup, in 1983 and 2011, as well as securing the ICC Champions Trophy twice, in 2002 and 2013. They have also been runners-up in the World Cup twice, in 2003 and 2023. Additionally, India has won in the Asia Cup eight times, in 1984, 1988, 1990–91, 1995, 2010, 2016, 2018, and 2023. The team has finished as the runners-up in the Asia Cup on three occasions: in 1997, 2004, and 2008.
India is also one of the most successful teams in the shortest format, having a win percentage of 66.90. They have won 140 out of 219 matches and lost 68. They won the inaugural edition of the T20 World Cup in 2007, but have not been able to repeat the feat in all these years.
England
Win percentage in all three formats
| Tests | ODIs | T20Is |
| 54.74 | 52.80 | 53.97 |
England and Australia were the first teams to play a Test match from March 15 to 19, 1877. This historic match marked the beginning of Test cricket and took place in Melbourne, Australia. England has played 1,071 Test matches, achieving 392 victories and 324 losses, along with 355 draws. In Test series against Australia, England competes for The Ashes, one of the most prestigious trophies in sports history. England has claimed the urn 32 times.
England has played 797 ODIs, securing 400 victories. The team has reached the Cricket World Cup final four times, in 1979, 1987, 1992, and 2019. In 2019, England won their first Cricket World Cup title. Additionally, they have finished as runners-up in the ICC Champions Trophy twice, in 2004 and 2013.
In the shortest format, the team has played 182 matches, winning 94 matches. The team won the ICC T20 World Cup in 2010 and 2022, and they finished as runners-up in 2016. Currently, England holds the title of World Champions in T20Is.
Pakistan
Win percentage in all three formats
| Tests | ODIs | T20Is |
| 51.03 | 54.42 | 61.11 |
Pakistan was granted Test cricket status in 1952. The country has faced challenges due to security concerns and domestic instability stemming from terrorism and the war on terror, which has limited its ability to host international cricket matches in the 21st century. Pakistan has played 456 Test matches, with 148 wins, 166 draws, and a win percentage of 51.03%.
Pakistan has played 970 ODIs, winning 512 matches and losing 428, resulting in a win percentage of 54.42%. The team secured its first international trophy by winning the ICC World Cup in 1992. Additionally, they claimed victory in the Asia Cup in 2000 and in the Champions Trophy in 2017.
In the shortest format, Pakistan were the runners-up at the 2007 T20 World Cup, and the winners in the 2009 edition of the tournament. Pakistan has overall played 213 T20Is, from which they have a win percentage of 61.11.
New Zealand
Win percentage in all three formats
| Tests | ODIs | T20Is |
| 38.33 | 48.97 | 54.63 |
New Zealand played their first Test match against England in Christchurch in 1930, making them the fifth country to play Test cricket. After their debut, New Zealand had to wait more than 26 years until 1956 for their first Test victory, which came against the West Indies at Eden Park in Auckland. In total, New Zealand has played 470 Tests, winning 115, losing 185, and drawing 166. They also clinched the title in the inaugural edition of the World Test Championship. They have an overall win percentage of 38.33.
In the 50-over format, New Zealand have won 824 matches, won 379 and lost 395, thereby having a win percentage of 48.97. In October 2000, New Zealand secured their first ICC title by winning the Knockout Trophy with a victory over India. They reached their maiden Cricket World Cup final in 2015 by defeating South Africa in the semi-finals. In the subsequent edition, they advanced to their second consecutive final by overcoming India in the semi-finals.
Coming to the shortest format, the Blackcaps have a win percentage of 54.63. In 2021, New Zealand reached their first-ever T20 World Cup final by defeating England in the semi-finals.
