First-class cricket

First-class cricket matches are those of at least three days length, involving either international teams or the highest division of domestic competition. By custom, first-class cricket is said to have begun in 1815, the end of the Napoleonic Wars.

Contents
1 Conduct of a game of first-class cricket

1.1 The follow-on rule

2 Definition of first-class cricket
3 First class domestic teams

3.1 Australia
3.2 Bangladesh
3.3 England and Wales
3.4 India
3.5 New Zealand
3.6 Pakistan
3.7 South Africa
3.8 Sri Lanka
3.9 West Indies
3.10 Zimbabwe

4 External links

Conduct of a game of first-class cricket

The game is conducted similarly to Test cricket, though usually of a maximum length of 3 or 4 days rather than the 5 of Test cricket (though a few are). (Technically, Test cricket is a form of first-class cricket. However, the term "first class" is usually used to refer to domestic competition only.) Around the world, these teams are usually representative of internal political divisions - for instance, Australia's domestic first-class competition is between state representative teams. Due to the time demands of such a competition (the matches cannot be played on weekends, for instance) first-class cricketers are mostly paid professionals.

A first class match played domestically has the same rules as Test matches, except for the number of days of play and the follow on rule. Normally, the matches are conducted over three or four days. However, the laws allow for two or one day first class matches as well.

The follow-on rule

The follow-on minimum lead requirement in first-class cricket is:

If the whole first day of play is abandoned without a ball being bowled, then the day is ignored for the sake of calculating follow on. For example, if the first day of a four-day match is abandoned due to weather or other reasons, then the match is counted as a three-day one for the sake of determining follow on. (This would not make a difference in four-day matches because the follow on requirements for four and three days is the same.) Note that only the first day can be ignored in this calculation. If more than one day is abandoned, the second and subsequent days are still counted for the calculation of follow-ons.

Definition of first-class cricket

As well as domestic competition, it is typical for international teams touring another country to play warm-up first-class matches against domestic teams. However, with the increasing schedule of international players and consequent more tightly-scheduled tours, the number of such one-off games is decreasing. According to the International Cricket Council, a match is first class if:

A Test Match is a first class match played between two Full Member countries given the status of a Test match-playing nation by the International Cricket Council, following the Playing Conditions for Test Matches established by the International Cricket Council, and following various other regulations.

The following matches or competitions are also recognized as first-class by the appropriate Boards of Cricket, providing the above regulations are met:

Notes:

First class domestic teams

Australia

Bangladesh

England and Wales

The eighteen major counties (listed below) are divided into two divisions for the County Championship. In each division the teams play each other twice, both home and away. The bottom and top teams of the first and second divisions respectively are relegated and promoted at the end of the season. Most other counties are minor counties and play in their own competition.

India

New Zealand

Pakistan

The domestic teams may either be city teams, government service teams, or corporate teams. Some cities have two teams; in this case, the second team is named the "Blues."

South Africa

Sri Lanka

West Indies

Zimbabwe

External links

See also: First-class cricket, 1815, 2001, Air Force, Andhra, Assam, Auckland, Australia, Bahawalpur, Bangladesh