The Cricket Journal
The Great Rivalries of Cricket
By Ismail Bhai
Every great sport has its rivalries, and cricket's are among the oldest and most passionate in the world.
The Ashes
England and Australia have contested the Ashes since the 1880s. The tiny urn at its centre carries more than a century of history.
India and Pakistan
Few matches in any sport draw audiences like India against Pakistan. The intensity is enormous, yet at its best the rivalry is played in a spirit of respect.
Why rivalries matter
Rivalries give context to every match, and they remind fans that sport at its best brings nations together as much as it divides them.