There is little dispute that Australia has been the most successful nation at the Cricket World Cup. However, the second best team is not as easily to choose. A rubric was developed to determine which teams have been the most historically successful. The points rubric awards progressively more points the further a national team went in the knock-out rounds. India, England, and the West Indies could all make a legitimate case.
POINTS RUBRIC
16 pts – World Cup winner
8 pts – Reached Final
4 pts – Reached Semi-Final
2 pts – Reached Quarter-Final / Super 6 / Super 8
TOP 5 MOST SUCCESSFUL NATIONS IN CRICKET
1. Australia – 102 pts.
Cricket is deeply embedded in Australia‘s sporting culture, and it is played and followed passionately by a large number of people. Its team is undoubtedly the most successful in cricket history, having won the Cricket World Cup a record five times. The Aussies won the tournament in 1987, 1999, 2003, 2007, and 2015. Glenn McGrath, one of the greatest fast bowlers of all time, helped Australia win three consecutive World Cups. The Australian team has always been known for their aggressive and dominant style of play, often intimidating their opponents with their fast bowlers and hard-hitting batsmen.
2. India – 58 pts.
India has won the Cricket World Cup twice, first in 1983 and then again in 2011. They have had pretty consistent success. The team reached at least the semi-final in seven of the World Cups. India is known for its strong batting line-up and spin bowlers, who are especially effective on the subcontinent’s spinning tracks. Sachin Tendulkar, one of the greatest batsmen of all time, played in six World Cups for India. With a large and passionate fan base, cricket is considered to be India’s national sport. The country is also home to cricket’s strongest professional league, the Indian Premier League.
3. England – 54 pts.
England is where cricket was invented. However, its team has only won the Cricket World Cup once, in 2019. They were also runners-up three times, in 1979, 1987, and 1992. The English team is known for their solid and reliable style of play, often relying on their top-order batsmen and well-rounded bowling attack to get the job done. Despite their long history in the sport, England had always struggled to win a major trophy until their first triumph in 2019, where it was led by Ben Stokes, one of the best all-rounders in the world.
4. West Indies – 50 pts.
The West Indies is the only team that does not represent a single country, it is comprises of several Caribbean nations. The team won the first two editions of the Cricket World Cup, in 1975 and 1979. They also were the runners-up in 1983. The Antiguan Viv Richards, one of the best batsmen in cricket history, helped the West Indies at these three World Cups. The West Indian team is known for their flair and style, often producing some of the most exciting cricketers in the world. Despite their recent struggles, the West Indies remain one of the most iconic cricketing nations.
5. Pakistan – 44 pts.
Although New Zealand and Pakistan are tied on points according to the rubric, Pakistan wins the tiebreaker, since it won the Cricket World Cup once, in 1992, while New Zealand has never won the tournament. Wasim Akram, one of the greatest left-arm fast bowlers in cricket history, played a pivotal role in the win. Pakistan has also finished as runners-up once, in 1999. The Pakistani team is known for their talented fast bowlers and attacking batsmen. Despite their recent struggles with consistency and off-field controversies, Pakistan remains a strong cricketing nation and a formidable opponent in any match.
HISTORIC RANKING TABLE OF ALL NATIONAL TEAMS
| National Team | Total | 1975 | 1979 | 1983 | 1987 | 1992 | 1996 | 1999 | 2003 | 2007 | 2011 | 2015 | 2019 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Australia | 102 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 24 | 24 | 32 | 48 | 64 | 80 | 82 | 98 | 102 |
| India | 58 | 0 | 0 | 16 | 20 | 20 | 24 | 26 | 34 | 34 | 50 | 54 | 58 |
| England | 54 | 4 | 12 | 16 | 24 | 32 | 34 | 34 | 34 | 36 | 38 | 38 | 54 |
| West Indies | 50 | 16 | 32 | 40 | 40 | 40 | 44 | 44 | 44 | 46 | 48 | 50 | 50 |
| New Zealand | 44 | 4 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 12 | 14 | 18 | 20 | 24 | 28 | 36 | 44 |
| Pakistan | 44 | 0 | 4 | 8 | 12 | 28 | 30 | 38 | 38 | 38 | 42 | 44 | 44 |
| Sri Lanka | 38 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 16 | 16 | 20 | 28 | 36 | 38 | 38 |
| South Africa | 20 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 6 | 10 | 10 | 14 | 16 | 20 | 20 |
| Zimbabwe | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 |
| Kenya | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 |
| Bangladesh | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 4 |
| Ireland | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
