Canadian cricket team in the United States in 1844

The Canadian cricket team in the United States in 1844 was the first international team to travel to another country and the match between the two national sides that year, billed as "United States of America versus the British Empire's Canadian Province", was the first official international cricket match.^[1] The match took place between 24 and 26 September 1844 at the St George's Cricket Club, Bloomingdale Park in New York.^[2] Canada won by 23 runs. The game was watched by between 10,000 and 20,000 spectators and around $120,000 worth of bets were placed.^[1]

Background

The origins of the match lay four years earlier when a team from the St George's Club turned up in Toronto, almost destitute after a hard slog by stage coach through New York State, and across Lake Ontario by steamer. A certain Mr Phillpotts had invited St George's to play the Toronto Cricket Club at home, but when the 18 men arrived on 28 August 1840, the Canadians were not expecting them and their mysterious host could not be found.

Despite the lack of preparations, a cricket match was hastily arranged, which was attended by a good number of spectators, a brass band and Sir George Arthur, the Governor of Upper Canada. The New Yorkers won, and left on such good terms that they invited the Canadians down for what was to be the first international cricket match.

Match

The US team was drawn from clubs in Philadelphia, Washington, DC and Boston, as well as a number in New York. Likewise, the Canadians tried to present a representative national team, rather than simply the Toronto CC team. Whether or not the Canadians managed to actually make it international is unclear. Advertisements and posters for the game found in libraries have the game between the USA and Canada, rather than two city teams.

The game was scheduled for two days and the score after the first day saw Canada with 82, beating the USA's 64 runs. On the second day, bad weather prevented play, so the game was extended to a third day when Canada scored 63 and the USA 58. So, finally Canada won by 23 runs. The US player Wheatcroft arrived too late on the third day and was replaced by Alfred Marsh.^[2]

Match details

24–26 September 1844 Scorecard

Province of Canada	v	United States
82 (32 overs) Winckworth, Sharpe, Freeling 12 Sam Wright 5 wkts		64 Robert Tinson 14 Winckworth, French 4 wkts
63 David Winckworth 14 Henry Groom 5 wkts		58 J Turner 14 George Sharpe 6 wkts

Canada won by 23 runs Bloomingdale Park, New York City Attendance: 20,000 Umpires: JH Conolly, H Russell, R Waller

• United States of America won the toss and elected to field.
• Rain prevented any play occurring on Day 2. The match was extended into a third day.
• Wheatcroft failed to arrive in time to take part in the match on the third day - Alfred Marsh fielded as substitute for him.

Legacy

In 1845, a return match was arranged at McGill University, Montreal, and the fixture, known as the Auty Cup has been played sporadically ever since.

See also

• The First International Football Match
• First International Rugby Union Game

References

External links