• Home
  • Cricket News
  • England Create History Become First Team To Play 2000 International Matches

England create history, become first team to play 2000 international matches

image-lbg5uf6cEngland cricket team | Source: Twitter

The England cricket team scripted history by becoming the first team to play 2000 international matches when they took the field against Pakistan in the second Test at the Multan Cricket Stadium on Friday, December 9. 

Australia stands second in this tally with 1995 matches while India has played 1775 international matches so far and occupies the third position in the table. Pakistan is fourth in the list, having played 1608 international matches so far.  

Most International Matches Played: 

  • 2000 - England*
  • 1995 - Australia
  • 1775 - India
  • 1608 - Pakistan
  • 1595 - West Indies
  • 1431 - New Zealand
  • 1358 - Sri Lanka
  • 1267 - South Africa

England played their first international match 145 years ago against Australia in 1877 at Melbourne. It was a Test match, where the host team led by Dave Gregory, went on to win by 45 runs in four days.

A Quick Recap

Out of those 2000 matches, England played 1056 Test matches, where they won 385, and lost 317 while 345 were drawn. As for ODIs, the Three Lions played 772 matches, out of which they won 390 and lost 346 while their 30 matches ended with no result, and eight were tied. 

Coming to the quickest format, England has played 170 T20 Internationals, where they won 92 matches so far, and lost 72 while their six matches ended with no result. They recently won the T20 World Cup 2022 under the captaincy of Jos Buttler. 

England is also the reigning 50-Overs World Champions, having won the marquee tournament under the leadership of Eoin Morgan back in 2019. They will be gearing up for the forthcoming World Cup 2023, scheduled to be played in India next year. 

As for the longest and ultimate format of the game, England adopted a much-hyped 'Bazball' approach under the leadership of Ben Stokes and Brendon McCullum. The Three Lions have been ruthless with their game ever since the duo took up the role at the helm.

They recently outclassed Pakistan in 'Pakistan', that too on a lifeless pitch of Rawalpindi to script a historic 74-runs victory over Babar Azam and company. The Ben Stokes-led side will look to take an unassailable lead by winning the ongoing Multan Test. 

ALSO READ: Marnus Labuschagne Becomes Second Fastest Australian to 3000 Test Runs