Figure 1.--These Melbourn boys are playing cricket on the beach during 1946. We are not sure about the popularity of cricket in Australia today. We rather have the impression that it is now mostly played in schools and clubs and less poopular as a sport boys commonly play. Hopefully our Australian readers will provide more up-to-date details.

Cricket began to develop in England (17th century). It was at first enjoyed by aristocrativc people, but gradually developed a wide-spread following at the village level. Unlike rugby it was not asport developed at the public schools, but rather an already popular sportwhich the schools adopted. Cricket was introduced to Australia by English colonists (19th century). The game began to be played regularly in Sydney. Melbourne formed its first cricket team (1838). The first international cricket game was between the United States and Canada (1844). At the time, baseball was stiil evolving. English crickateers put together a team of professionals and toured America and Canada (1859). Another English team toured Australia (1862). Australia formed it's first international cricket team which toured England (1868). It was composed of Aboriginal players. The Australian cricket team is the national cricket team of Australia. It has the destinction of being the joint oldest team in Test cricket. They played in the first Test match (1877). They defeated England by 45 runs. This began the criket rivalry which began between Australia and England. The first national cricket association in Australia was the Australian Cricket Council (1842-1900). Thiswas replaced by the Australian board of Control for International Cricket. I is npow known as the International Cricket Council. The Australian Cricket Board was dounded (1973). One source estimates thsat cricket is played by more than 0.5 million Australians, inmcluding some women. In England, cricket is not general seen as a girl's sport. The sport is a major sport at private schools in Australia as well as many state secondary schools.

Created: 8:58 PM 12/18/2009
Last updated: 8:58 PM 12/18/2009