First Test match in cricket

On 15–19 March 1877, an English touring party of professional cricketers led by James Lilywhite played a Grand Combined Melbourne and Sydney XI at the Melbourne Cricket Ground in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. The first delivery was bowled by England’s Alfred Shaw to the Australian opening batsman Charles Bannerman, who went on to become the first centurion, hitting 165 before retiring hurt. The Australian side won the match – which would later gain recognition as cricket’s first Test – by 45 runs.

England bowler James Southerton remains the oldest debutant in Test cricket, aged 49 years 119 days. He also became the first Test player to die, on 16 June 1880.

Charles Bannerman was responsible for 67.34% of Australia’s first innings total – this remains the highest percentage of a side’s innings by an individual in Test cricket.