Cricket World Cups

Cricket grows from a medieval pastime in southern England into an organised sport: the first Laws are written in 1744 and Marylebone Cricket Club is founded in 1787, becoming the guardian of the game.

England and Australia meet at the Melbourne Cricket Ground in the first officially recognised Test match, beginning international cricket. Australia wins by 45 runs.

After Australia's first win on English soil, a mock obituary declares English cricket dead and its ashes taken to Australia — launching the sport's most famous rivalry.

The West Indies become the fourth Test nation alongside England, Australia and South Africa, with Don Bradman rewriting batting records and India playing its first Tests in 1932.

The first one-day international is played at the MCG in 1971, and the inaugural (60-over) Cricket World Cup follows in England in 1975, won by the West Indies.

Kerry Packer's rebel series revolutionises the sport — day-night matches, coloured clothing, white balls and floodlights all trace back to his two seasons.

The first Twenty20 match is played in 2003, the first T20 World Cup follows in 2007, and T20 leagues like the IPL (2008) transform cricket's reach, salaries and formats.