English Cricket History

Cricket's origins are believed to date back to the Dark Ages, but the first reference of cricket being played was in Guildford, Surrey, in 1550. The first recorded match between English counties did not take place until 1709.

  1. Late 1800s

    • The first test match between England and Australia was held in Melbourne in 1877, with the host nation winning by 45 runs. The first test on English soil was not until three years later. In 1882, after England suffered their first home defeat against Australia, the "Sporting Times" wrote a mock obituary about the "death of English cricket," marking the birth of the Ashes series.

    1900s to 1950s

    • W.G. Grace -- English cricket's first real star -- died at the age of 67 in 1915. One of cricket's darkest moments was England's 1932-33 Ashes tour of Australia, dubbed the "Bodyline" series. England captain Douglas Jardine devised a plan to place at least five fielders on the leg side, while his bowlers delivered short-pitched deliveries aimed at leg stump. Numerous Australian players suffered injuries as a result, and the controversy strained relations between the two countries.

    1960s to Present

    • In 1963, the first major one-day competition -- the Gillette Cup -- was formed. In the same year, the distinction between amateurs and professionals in England was dissolved. England and Australia played the first one-day international match in Melbourne in 1971. In 2000, the County Championship -- the English domestic four-day competition -- was split into two divisions, and the first edition of the Twenty20 cup was introduced three years later.