Fans & Culture

Cricket's Global Community

Fan communities, cricket boards, legendary umpires, equipment brands, coaching academies, and the culture that makes cricket the world's second most popular sport.

Cricket Boards & Organizations

International Cricket Council

ICC · Dubai, UAE

The ICC is the global governing body of cricket. It organises major tournaments including the World Cup, T20 World Cup, and World Test Championship. The ICC sets the Laws of Cricket (in conjunction with MCC) and manages the sport's global development.

Founded: 1909

Board of Control for Cricket in India

BCCI · Mumbai, India

The BCCI is the richest cricket board in the world, with revenues exceeding $1 billion annually. It controls the IPL and Indian cricket, which generates over 80% of global cricket revenue. The BCCI's financial power gives India enormous influence in world cricket governance.

Founded: 1928

England and Wales Cricket Board

ECB · Lord's Cricket Ground, London

The ECB governs cricket in England and Wales. It runs The Hundred, the County Championship, and the England national teams. Lord's Cricket Ground, home of the MCC, is the spiritual home of the ECB.

Founded: 1997

Cricket Australia

CA · Melbourne, Australia

Cricket Australia governs cricket in Australia and runs the BBL, Sheffield Shield, and Australian national teams. Australia's cricket culture is deeply embedded in national identity, with the Boxing Day Test a national institution.

Founded: 1905

Pakistan Cricket Board

PCB · Lahore, Pakistan

The PCB governs cricket in Pakistan and runs the PSL. Pakistan cricket has a passionate following of over 200 million fans. The PCB has worked to restore international cricket to Pakistan after the 2009 Lahore attack.

Founded: 1948

Cricket South Africa

CSA · Johannesburg, South Africa

Cricket South Africa governs cricket in South Africa and runs the SA20 league. South Africa returned to international cricket in 1991 after the apartheid-era ban and has been one of the world's top teams since.

Founded: 1991

Legendary Umpires

Dickie Bird

England

Dickie Bird is the most beloved umpire in cricket history. His 66 Tests and 69 ODIs were marked by his eccentricities, fairness, and love of the game. His autobiography is one of cricket's best-selling books.

Steve Bucknor

West Indies

Steve Bucknor stood in more Tests (128) than any other umpire. The Jamaican was known for his deliberate, slow raising of the finger and his calm authority. He stood in five World Cup finals.

Darrell Hair

Australia

Darrell Hair was one of cricket's most controversial umpires, known for his no-ball calls against Muttiah Muralitharan and the 2006 Oval Test ball-tampering controversy with Pakistan.

Rudi Koertzen

South Africa

Rudi Koertzen stood in 108 Tests and 209 ODIs, making him one of the most experienced umpires in history. The South African was known for his slow, deliberate raising of the finger.

Marais Erasmus

South Africa

Marais Erasmus is one of the ICC's Elite Panel umpires and has stood in multiple World Cup finals. He is known for his accuracy and calm demeanour.

Kumar Dharmasena

Sri Lanka

Kumar Dharmasena is a former Sri Lanka all-rounder who became an ICC Elite Panel umpire. He stood in the 2019 World Cup final — one of the most dramatic matches in cricket history.

Equipment Brands

SG Cricket

India · Test match balls (India)

Sanspareils Greenlands (SG) is India's premier cricket equipment manufacturer. SG balls are used in all Test matches played in India. The company also makes bats used by many Indian internationals.

Dukes Cricket

England · Test match balls (England, West Indies)

Dukes is the oldest cricket ball manufacturer in the world, founded in 1760. Dukes balls are used in Test matches in England and the West Indies. They are known for their pronounced seam and ability to swing.

Kookaburra Sport

Australia · Test match balls (Australia, most countries)

Kookaburra is the most widely used cricket ball manufacturer in the world. Kookaburra balls are used in Test matches in Australia, South Africa, New Zealand, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, and Zimbabwe.

Gray-Nicolls

England · Cricket bats

Gray-Nicolls is one of cricket's oldest and most prestigious bat manufacturers. Their bats have been used by legends including Sunil Gavaskar, Viv Richards, and many others.

MRF Tyres

India · Cricket bat stickers (Sachin, Kohli)

MRF is famous for its cricket bat stickers, most notably on Sachin Tendulkar's bat. MRF has been associated with cricket's greatest batsmen including Sachin Tendulkar, Virat Kohli, Steve Waugh, and Brian Lara.

New Balance Cricket

USA · Cricket shoes, clothing, bats

New Balance has become one of cricket's most prominent equipment brands, sponsoring players like Joe Root, Ben Stokes, and Kane Williamson. Their cricket shoes and clothing are popular at all levels of the game.

Adidas Cricket

Germany · Cricket clothing, shoes

Adidas sponsors several top cricketers including Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, and Jasprit Bumrah. Their cricket clothing and footwear are used by players at the highest level.

Puma Cricket

Germany · Cricket bats, clothing

Puma Cricket sponsors AB de Villiers, Yuvraj Singh, and several other top players. Their cricket bats are known for their quality and performance.