History of Australian cricket to 1876

This is an article that describes the history of Australian cricket from its known beginnings until the eve of the first-ever Test matches between Australia and England, which took place in the 1876–77 season.

[5][6] In rural New South Wales, the Queanbeyan District Cricket Club was officially formed in 1863[7] having played games against teams from local towns through the 1850s.

Although it was impossible due to travel constraints to arrange first-class matches between the colonies in every season, there was a steady rate of growth, especially at club level.

The sport received a considerable boost when English teams began arriving in the colonies in 1861–62 and especially when the legendary WG Grace himself toured Australia in 1873–74.

The Melbourne Cricket Club organised a tour by an English team under the captaincy of WG Grace, which played 15 matches in all but none were first-class.