Cricket in Australia
A record 1,311,184 people played cricket across Australia in 2015–16, an 8.5 per cent increase on 2014–15 – placing cricket at No.1 as the current top participation sport in Australia. Women participation also reached record figures in 2015–16, growing nine percent to 314,936 players. According to Cricket Australia's annual report of 2014–15, 1,208,360 Australians played formal, organised cricket during the year, an increase of nine percent over the previous year. Separately, official audience data shows that 93.6% of Australians watched at least some cricket on TV in 2010–11 calendar year.
Cricket Australia XI
Cricket Australia XI, often with more experienced personnel, also played matches against touring Test teams. Cricket Australia XI made their first-class debut against New Zealand in a tour match on 29 October 2015. The team have since played first-class matches against Pakistan and South Africa in the 2016–17 season. Cricket Australia XI played two four-day matches against England and one one-day match as part of the 2017–18 tour.