English cricket team

The English cricket team is a national cricket team representing England and Wales, although Wales is almost never mentioned in the team's name. It is administered by the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB).

History of English international cricket

England played in the very first test match in 1877. Since then, up to 17 December 2004 they have played 827 test matches, winning 287, losing 239 and drawing 301. During these 827 matches, they have been captained by 75 different players.

Related Topics:
1877 - 17 December - 2004 - Captained by 75 different players

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

1860 to 1900

See also: History of Test cricket (to 1883)

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

::History of Test cricket (1884 to 1889)

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

::History of Test cricket (1890 to 1900)

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

1877 saw the first Test match when England took on Australia at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. This rivalry took on a new turn in 1882, when England lost at home at the Oval. Upset at this turn of events, the Sporting Times printed an obituary to English cricket:

Related Topics:
1877 - Test match - Australia - Melbourne Cricket Ground - 1882 - The Oval

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

:In Affectionate Remembrance of ENGLISH CRICKET, which died at the Oval on 29th AUGUST, 1882, Deeply lamented by a large circle of sorrowing friends and acquaintances R.I.P. N.B. - The body will be cremated and the ashes taken to Australia.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

When England toured Australia the following winter, and won 2-1, the English captain, the Hon. Ivo Bligh was presented with an urn that contained some ashes, which have variously been said to be of a bail, ball or even a woman's veil. And so The Ashes series was born.

Related Topics:
Ivo Bligh - Bail - Ball - The Ashes

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

This period of English cricket was dominated by WG Grace. For thirty six years (1865 to 1900). He averaged 39.45 at first class level, an average undoubtedly dragged down by playing into his late fifties. At his peak in the 1870s his first-class season averages were regularly between 60 and 70, at a time where uncovered, poorly-prepared pitches meant that scores were far lower than the modern game. Grace scored over 1000 runs and took over 100 wickets in seven different seasons

Related Topics:
1865 - 1900 - 1870s

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

At fifty-three he scored nearly 1,300 runs in first-class cricket, made 100 runs and over on three different occasions and could claim an average of 42 runs. Moreover, his greatest triumphs were achieved when only the very best cricket grounds received serious attention; when, as some consider, bowling was maintained at a higher standard and when all hits had to be run out. He, with his two brothers, EM and GF, assisted by some fine amateurs, made Gloucestershire in one season a first-class county; and it was he who first enabled the amateurs of England to meet the paid players on equal terms and to beat them

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

There was hardly a record connected with the game which did not stand to his credit. Grace was one of the finest fieldsmen in England, in his earlier days generally taking long-leg and cover-point, in later times generally standing point (see Fielding positions in cricket). He was, at his best, a fine thrower, fast runner and safe catcher. As a bowler he was long in the first flight, originally bowling fast, but in later times adopting a slower and more tricky style, frequently very effective. According to the PricewaterhouseCoopers Test rankings, he was only out of the top 4 Test batsman ratings for two years in the period from 1880 and 1899.

Related Topics:
1880 - 1899

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~