First Test cricket match: England v Australia at Melbourne

Background. In early 1877, two rival English tours were proposed for Australia. James Lillywhite campaigned for a professional tour, while Fred Grace proposed an amateur one. Grace's tour fell through, leaving Lillywhite's team to tour New Zealand and Australia in 1876–77. This tour was the fourth to visit Australia, and Lillywhite felt his side had performed well enough against New South Wales to warrant a game against an All Australian team.

Team Selection. When Lillywhite headed to New Zealand, he left Melbourne cricketer John Conway to arrange the match for their return. Conway ignored the cricket associations in each colony and selected his own Australian team, negotiating directly with the players. The teams were rarely representative during this period, and the lengthy boat trip required was one that many cricketers, especially amateurs, were unable or unwilling to undertake.

Match Details. The first Test match was played at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, a stadium that had hosted cricket since 1854. A grandstand seating 2000 was built in 1876 specifically for the 1877 visit of James Lillywhite's English cricket team. The match began at 1.05 p.m. on 15 March 1877 and was played from 15 to 17 March. Australia won the match by 45 runs.