Shipboard sports teams and fleet competition

How common were ship-based sports teams, such as a battleship's cricket squad?

They were common, especially for competitions between ships or within a flotilla when crews reached port.

Ship-based sports teams were common. Crews could play during suitable downtime aboard, although organized matches were especially associated with port visits. A ship or flotilla would assemble a side when an inter-ship competition arose. Teams could be assembled when a match was arranged, rather than maintained continuously as a permanent squad.