Cricket facts and records: List of firsts in Test cricket

Cricket is being played since 16th century. The sources have found evidence that the first instance of the game “Cricket” was recorded way back around 1550 in Surrey in England.

It was first considered a children’s game but in 1610, it was found that even adults played it. Then the game slowly gained popularity in England during the 17th and 18th centuries.

After major developments, cricket became the national game of England and hence, it is always said that the Englishmen were the ones to start this sport. The first ever international match was played between USA and Canada in 1844.

Drawing of the first international cricket match – USA vs CAN, 1844

Test cricket is the first format of cricket, which began in late 1877. After almost a century, in 1971, the second format was introduced – the one day internationals. Test cricket is played for 5 days while one day internationals (ODIs) are limited over games which are played in one day.

In the 21st century, the latest format known as Twenty20 was introduced in 2005.

Let’s have a brief look at all the events, milestones and records which occurred first in the Test cricket:

First in cricket (Test Cricket)

Records of teams

First Test match

The first ever Test match was played on 15th March 1877 at the Melbourne Cricket Ground between Australia and England. Australia won the match by 45 runs.

The gold medal presented to the Sussex and England cricketer Harry Charlwood on the occasion of the first official Test Match between England and Australia which commenced on 15th March 1877 at the Melbourne Cricket Ground

First toss

The first toss in Test cricket was won by Australia, who chose to bat in the first Test match.

First wins

The first ever win was registered by Australia when they defeated England by 45 runs in the inaugural Test match.

The first win by ten wickets was registered by Australia against England at Melbourne, 1879.

The first win by an innings was registered by England when they defeated Australia by an Innings and 27 runs at Melbourne, 1883.

Batting records

 

Charles Bannerman – Faced the first ball, scored first run, boundary, fifty and century in Test cricket

First ball in Test cricket

The first ball in Test cricket was faced by Charles Bannerman of Australia.

First run

The first run was scored by Charles Bannerman of Australia.

First four

The first four was hit by Charles Bannerman of Australia.

First six

The first six in Test cricket was hit by Joe Darling (Aus) vs England at Adelaide Oval on 14 January 1898.

First milestones

The first half-century (50) in Test cricket was scored by Charles Bannerman (Aus) on 15th March 1877 vs Eng at MCG.

The first century (100) in Test cricket was scored by Charles Bannerman (Aus) on 15th March 1877 vs Eng at MCG.

The first 150 in Test cricket was scored by Charles Bannerman (165*) on 16th March 1877 vs Eng at MCG.

The first double century (200) in Test cricket was scored by Billy Murdoch (Aus). He scored 211 runs vs England at The Oval on 12th August 1884.

The first 250 was scored by Tip Foster (Eng). He scored 287 vs Australia at Sydney on 14th December 1903 (on debut).

The first triple century (300) in Test cricket was scored by Andy Sandham (Eng). He scored 325 runs vs West Indies at Kingston on 4th April 1930.

The first 350 was scored by Sir Len Hutton (Eng). He scored 364 vs Australia at The Oval on 23rd August 1938.

The first quadruple century (400) was scored by Brian Lara (WI). He scored 400* vs England at St.John’s on 12th April 2004.

Brian Lara – The first batsman to score 400 runs in a Test Innings