15 March : The birth of Test Cricket

At 1.05 p.m. on 15 March 1877, Test cricket was born.

At the close, 5pm – there had been around three-and-a-half hour’s play.

The two teams spent the evening at the opera. On last and fourth day, Australia won the test match by 45 runs. The second test match was won by England and the series was a draw.

The history of test cricket dates back to the late 19th century, when the first official test match was played between England and Australia in March 1877. This historic match took place at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) and marked the beginning of what would become one of the most popular and enduring forms of the sport.

The idea of test cricket was first proposed by the legendary English cricketer, Charles Bannerman, who suggested that a series of matches should be played between the two countries to determine the better team. The idea was well received by both nations and the first official test match was scheduled to take place in March 1877.

The match itself was a closely contested affair, with England eventually emerging as the victors by 45 runs. This inaugural test match laid the foundation for what would become a long-standing rivalry between the two countries, known as The Ashes.

The success of the first test match led to the establishment of a formal Test cricket structure, with other countries like South Africa, West Indies, and India also joining the fray in the decades that followed. Over time, test cricket became the pinnacle of the sport, with players from around the world competing in matches that lasted up to five days.

As test cricket continued to grow in popularity, it also underwent several changes and innovations. The introduction of the World Test Championship in 2019 added a new level of excitement to the format, with teams competing for the title of world champions.

Today, test cricket remains a beloved form of the sport, with matches being played in iconic venues like Lord’s, The Gabba, and Eden Gardens. The format continues to be a true test of skill, endurance, and mental strength, with players striving to make their mark in the history books.

The birth of test cricket in 1877 marked the beginning of a new chapter in the history of the sport. Over the years, the format has evolved and grown, becoming a timeless tradition that captivates fans around the world. With its rich history and enduring appeal, test cricket will continue to hold a special place in the hearts of cricket lovers for generations to come. 

#Hindi 
क्रिकेट का इतिहास रोमांच से भरा है। आज का दिन इस इतिहास में खास जगह रखता है। आज पहली बार दुनिया में टेस्ट मैच खेला गया था। 15 मार्च 1877 को दोपहर 1 बजकर 5 मिनट पर ये खेल शुरु हुआ था और क्रिकेट के नए अध्याय का जन्म हुआ था। ये मैच मेलबर्न क्रिकेट ग्राउंड पर Lillywhite’s XI और Combined Australia XI के बीच खेला गया था। Alfred Shaw ने टेस्ट क्रिकेट की पहली गेंद फेंकी थी। उनके सामने बैटिंग कर रहे थे Charles Bannerman जिन्होंने टेस्ट क्रिकेट की पहली बॉल खेली थी। दूसरी ही गेंद पर टेस्ट क्रिकेट का पहला रन लिया गया था और मैच के चौथे ओवर में टेस्ट क्रिकेट का पहला विकेट गिरा था जब एलेन हिल ने नैट थॉमसन को बोल्ड कर दिया था। टेस्ट क्रिकेट में शून्य पर आउट होने वाले पहले खिलाड़ी थे Edward Gregory। शाम 5 बजे करीब साढ़े तीन घंटे बाद उस दिन का खेल खत्म हुआ था। ये मैच ऑस्ट्रेलिया ने 45 रन से जीत लिया था। दूसरा टेस्ट मैच इंग्लैंड ने जीता था और सीरीज़ ड्रॉ रही थी।