Cricket’s presence in Europe has been rapidly expanding, with a remarkable 34 countries holding ICC Status, indicating a well-established structure for international-level cricket.
The European Cricket Council, established in 1997 and based in London, England, plays a pivotal role in overseeing and promoting cricket in the region.
![Which are the 10 Best Cricket Teams in Europe? [2023 Updated]](https://i0.wp.com/iplt20live.in/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/Which-are-the-10-Best-Cricket-Teams-in-Europe.png)
Cricket is not a very popular sport in Europe, with only a few countries actively participating. Let me clarify:
- England and Ireland are the only European teams that have Test status and play regular international cricket.
- Scotland, Netherlands, and Zimbabwe (an associate member in the Europe region) compete in ODIs and T20Is but not Tests.
- All other European teams like Germany, Jersey, Norway, etc are amateur teams that only compete in lower ICC leagues/events.
- There is no official ICC ranking table of cricket teams in Europe. The ICC rankings comprise only full members that play Tests and ODIs/T20Is regularly.
| POS | TEAM | MATCHES | POINTS | RATING |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | England | 39 | 10,117 | 259 |
| 12 | Ireland | 37 | 7,168 | 194 |
| 14 | Scotland | 12 | 2,195 | 183 |
| 15 | Netherlands | 19 | 3,445 | 181 |
| 21 | Jersey | 13 | 1,718 | 132 |
| 31 | Germany | 25 | 2,424 | 97 |
| 34 | Spain | 18 | 1,649 | 92 |
| 35 | Italy | 12 | 1,094 | 91 |
| 38 | Denmark | 17 | 1,234 | 73 |
| 39 | Portugal | 16 | 1,167 | 73 |
List of Top 10 Best Cricket Teams in Europe
Now, let’s take a look at the top 10 cricket teams or countries in Europe:
England
With a commanding second position in the ICC T20 International Team Rankings, England has proven itself to be the best cricket team in Europe.
Under the brilliant leadership of Jos Buttler as captain and with the guidance of coach Matthew Mott, the English team in 2023 has played 39 matches and amassed an impressive 10,117 points, resulting in a commendable rating of 259.
Ireland
Ranked 12th in the ICC T20 International Team Rankings, Ireland has been steadily making strides in the world of T20 cricket. With 37 matches played in 2023 and a total of 7,168 points, the Irish team has earned a rating of 194.
Led by the talented Paul Stirling as captain, and under the mentorship of coach Heinrich Malan, Ireland’s cricketing journey has been nothing short of inspiring.
Scotland
Scotland, ranked 14th in the ICC T20 International Team Rankings, has been a team with immense potential and promise. In 2023, Playing 12 matches and garnering 2,195 points, they hold a rating of 183.
Led by captain Richie Berrington and guided by coach Doug Watson, the Scottish team has showcased their passion for the game and an unwavering desire to excel.
Despite having fewer opportunities on the international stage, Scotland has left a lasting impression with their spirited performances.
Netherlands
Ranked 15th in the ICC T20 International Team Rankings, the Netherlands has been making steady progress in the world of T20 cricket. With 19 matches played in 2023, and with 3,445 points, they have earned a rating of 181.
Led by captain Scott Edwards and guided by coach Ryan Cook, Netherlands has emerged as a competitive team in the shortest format of the game.
Known for their all-round abilities and enterprising brand of cricket, the Netherlands has produced some memorable performances on the international stage.
Jersey
Jersey At the 21st position in the ICC T20 International Team Rankings, Jersey has been making steady progress in the world of T20 cricket. Playing 13 matches and amassing 1,718 points, they hold a rating of 132.
Under the captaincy of Charles Perchard and the guidance of coach Neil MacRae, Jersey’s cricketing journey has been marked by determination and a hunger for success.
A relatively newer team on the international stage, Jersey has showcased their potential and grit in T20 cricket.
Germany
Ranked 31st in the ICC T20 International Team Rankings, Germany has been building its cricketing culture and making strides in the world of T20 cricket. Playing 25 matches and accumulating 2,424 points, they hold a rating of 97.
Led by captain Venkatraman Ganesan and guided by coach Atiq us Zaman, Germany’s cricketing journey has been characterized by determination and a desire to improve.
Spain
Ranked 34th in the ICC T20 International Team Rankings, Spain has been embracing the global appeal of cricket and making strides in the world of T20 cricket. With 18 matches played and 1,649 points, they hold a rating of 92.
Under the captaincy of Christian Munoz-Mills and the guidance of coach Corey Rutgers, Spain’s cricketing journey has been marked by passion and a desire to compete.
Italy
Italy, currently ranked 35th in the ICC T20 International Team Rankings, has been steadily developing its cricketing talent and making significant strides in the world of T20 cricket. Having played 12 matches and accumulated 1,094 points, they hold a respectable rating of 91.
Under the captaincy of Gayashan Munasinghe and the guidance of coach Gareth Berg, Italy’s cricketing journey has been characterized by unwavering perseverance and a strong commitment to growth.
Despite having a relatively smaller cricketing community, Italy has managed to impress on the international stage, showcasing its immense potential and determination to succeed.
Denmark
Currently ranked 39th in the ICC T20 International Team Rankings, Denmark is a cricketing nation that has been earnestly working towards achieving excellence and making steady progress in the world of T20 cricket.
Having participated in 17 matches and earning 1,234 points, they currently hold a rating of 73. Led by captain HAM Shah and guided by coach Keith Dabengwa.
Denmark’s cricketing journey is characterized by a strong sense of dedication and an unwavering desire to compete at the highest level.
Portugal
Ranked 38th in the ICC T20 International Team Rankings, Portugal has been embracing the growth of cricket and making steady strides in the world of T20 cricket. Playing 16 matches and amassing 1,167 points, they hold a rating of 73.
Under the captaincy of Najjam Shahzad and guided by coach Tariq Aziz, Portugal’s cricketing journey has been marked by enthusiasm and a determination to excel.
As cricket gains momentum in Portugal, the team has shown great promise with their performances on the field.
