Here is a comprehensive summary of the Wikipedia article on cricket:
Cricket is a bat-and-ball game played between two teams of eleven on a field with a central 22-yard pitch and a wicket at each end. The batting team scores runs by hitting the ball and swapping places with a teammate or by hitting boundaries, while the fielding team aims to dismiss batters through various methods like bowling the wicket or catching a hit ball. Matches range dramatically in length, from traditional five-day Test matches to the fast-paced, three-to-four-hour Twenty20 (T20) format.
Originating as a children's game in South East England in the mid-16th century, cricket spread globally with the British Empire and is now governed by the International Cricket Council (ICC), with its rules maintained by the Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) in London. Primarily played in Commonwealth nations, Australia stands out as the most successful international side, winning numerous One Day International trophies, including six World Cups. The 21st century has also seen significant growth in women's cricket.