Histopedia

The first cricket match is a topic of much debate among historians and cricket enthusiasts. While the exact date of the first-ever cricket match is unknown, there are records of a match played in 1597 in Guildford, Surrey, England, which is often cited as the earliest known reference to the game ¹.

This match was mentioned in a court case, where a 59-year-old coroner, John Derrick, testified that he and his school friends had played “creckett” on the site fifty years earlier ¹. This account proves that the game was being played in Surrey around 1550.

However, the first international cricket match is well-documented. It was played between the US and Canada in 1844 at the grounds of the St George’s Cricket Club in New York ¹. This match marked the beginning of international cricket, which would go on to become a popular sport around the world.

Key Milestones in Cricket History

• 1597: First recorded reference to cricket in Guildford, Surrey, England ¹
• 1611: First reference to cricket being played as an adult sport ¹
• 1844: First international cricket match between the US and Canada ¹
• 1877: First Test match between England and Australia ¹

These milestones highlight the growth and evolution of cricket from a local game in England to a global sport with international competitions.