16th century: Cricket is believed to have originated in England, with the earliest known reference to the game dating back to 1597.
18th century: Cricket becomes popular among the British aristocracy and spreads to other parts of the world through British colonization, particularly in India, the West Indies, and Australia.
1844: The first international cricket match is played between the United States and Canada in New York City.
1877: The first Test match is played between Australia and England in Melbourne, Australia.
1900: Cricket is included in the Olympic Games for the first and only time, as a men’s event.
1909: The Imperial Cricket Conference, later renamed the International Cricket Council (ICC), is founded to govern international cricket.
1975: The first Cricket World Cup is held in England, with the West Indies emerging as champions.
2003: The first Twenty20 International is played between Australia and New Zealand in Auckland, New Zealand.
2008: The Indian Premier League, a professional Twenty20 cricket league, is established and becomes one of the most popular and lucrative cricket tournaments in the world.
2019: The Cricket World Cup is held in England and Wales, with England winning their first title after defeating New Zealand in the final in a dramatic super over.