Written by: Muhammad Suhayb
Posted on: June 12, 2024 | 
| 中文
A portrait of the cricket match at Cambridge Crossing, between the New England and St. George Clubs
Pakistan Cricket team is finding it difficult to qualify for the Super-8 round of the T20 World Cup that is currently being played in the USA. Some people criticized the selection of the venue, the USA, even calling out the authorities for a better option. They would be surprised to know that modern-day cricket may be new to the USA, but it was one of the two countries that were part of the very first recorded match of any sport that was played in the modern era.
A drawing of the first international cricket match between USA and Canada in New York
Yes, it was not football, baseball or field hockey but a game of cricket that was played in New York. A match between the USA and the British Empire’s Canadian Province some 180 years ago, was the first bilateral match played during September 24-26, 1844. The match was organized by members of St. George's Cricket Club, at their own Ground in New York. For those who thought that England and Australia had the oldest rivalry, with the commencing of the First Test match in 1877, they should revisit the match whose information is available online. It is believed that it is the world's oldest international sporting rivalry, pre-dating the America's Cup (a sailing competition and considered the oldest international competition still operating in any sport) by seven years.
A poster of St George Club
The encounter could have happened four years earlier. St George's Club, after receiving an invitation, sent a squad of 18 New Yorkers to Toronto. The plan was to play a game at a ground on the shores of Lake Ontario. However, after making a grueling journey, the squad became a victim of a hoax, as the bemused Toronto club knew nothing about the proposal. After a genuine invitation, Canadians made an exhausting trip to NY by boat and train, only to see a crowd of 5000 present on the first day. It is estimated that as much as $100,000 was bet on the match, close to $2 million in modern money.
The news of the match on the New York Herald
The home side won the toss and elected to field first. Canada, which comprised players of British origin, batted first. The visitors scored 82 runs, aided by the poor fielding of the USA. The highest score of the innings was 12, scored by three different batsmen. One of them was David Winckworth, who also claims to be the first dual international. He represented Canada in the first three games against the USA (there were two in 1845) and then, after moving to Detroit, turned out for the USA in 1846. As far as the home bowlers were concerned, only two were used during the innings. Sam Wright took five wickets for the USA in the first innings, followed by four in the second. There was also a run-out, a hit wicket dismissal in the first recorded innings of cricket. The hosts responded with 64 runs in their first innings, giving the visitors a lead of 18 runs. Captain of the USA side, Robert Tinson, scored 14 runs, the highest individual score of the match. Supposed to be a two-day match, it was stretched to the third day when bad weather prevented play on the second. In the second innings, Canada scored 63 runs, setting the hosts a target of 82 to win. Winckworth, who had taken four wickets with some quick bowling against the USA, top-scored again with 14. The United States side fell short, dismissed for 58 runs. Canada was victorious, winning the match by 23 runs.
Sam Wright, who played for USA in 1844, with his son
The following year, a rematch was held in Canada, at the Toronto Cricket Club. Revenge was in the air, and the USA won the match by six wickets. The matches were held either annually or biannually, on a home and away basis. The fixtures attracted significant local interest but the rise of another bat-and-ball game in the United States sidelined cricket.
A painting of the first match
Baseball was simpler, shorter and more accessible to Americans, as compared to cricket. No time constraint was the main reason why the game had become the dominant sport in the United States. The American Civil War (1861-1865) played its part in disrupting organized sports, including cricket. Many cricket clubs disbanded, and the sport struggled to regain its pre-war popularity.
A portrait of the first-ever bilateral cricket match between Canada and United States, 1844
Cricket was also perceived as a ‘British’ sport, another reason that affected its appeal in the post-Revolutionary War United States. The cultural and national identity of Americans was becoming more distinct from their British roots, and baseball was seen as a uniquely American sport. The development of cricket infrastructure lagged behind that of baseball, making it harder for the sport to grow. Despite these challenges, cricket has seen a resurgence in recent years in the United States, driven by immigrants from cricket-loving countries and increasing global interest in the sport. The establishment of Major League Cricket (MLC) in 2023 and the USA's participation in international cricket tournaments, like the World Cup, indicate a renewed interest and potential growth for the sport in the country. The recent bashing of the Pakistan team at the hands of the USA is proof that the game is getting stronger day by day in the USA.
You may also like:
