What is first class cricket?

What is first class cricket?

First Class cricket, since the year 1947, has been defined as ‘one arranged for three days minimum between two teams of 11 players each, with each team allowed two innings’. Each of the two teams should be regarded as of first class standard by the relevant body controlling the cricket in the country in which the match was played. Before 1947, the press generally decided which matches could be qualified as ‘first class’. Today, the cricket ‘averages’ published in newspapers and magazines are compiled from performances in first-class matches only, unless mentioned otherwise. Performances in one day internationals etc are not included.