Cricket History Timeline

1611England

First adult reference

A surviving reference records cricket as an adult sport while a dictionary calls it a boys’ game.

1744London, England

First Laws of Cricket

The first written laws established a shared framework for play.

1745Surrey, England

First known women’s match

Women’s cricket has a documented history extending to the mid-eighteenth century.

1787London, England

MCC and Lord’s

Marylebone Cricket Club became custodian of the Laws.

15–19 March 1877Melbourne, Australia

First Test match

Australia defeated England in the match later recognised as the first Test.

29 August 1882London, England

The Ashes legend begins

Australia’s victory at The Oval inspired a mock obituary for English cricket and the enduring Ashes name.

15 June 1909London, England

International governing body founded

England, Australia and South Africa created the Imperial Cricket Conference.

1932–33Australia

The Bodyline series changes tactics and laws

England’s leg-theory bowling strategy provoked controversy and later field-placement restrictions.

5 January 1971Melbourne, Australia

First One-Day International

A rain-abandoned Test produced a one-day match that launched a new international format.

20 June–28 July 1973England

First Women’s Cricket World Cup

Women’s cricket staged the sport’s first one-day World Cup, two years before the men.

Connected: Mithali Raj

21 June 1975London, England

First men’s Cricket World Cup final

West Indies won the inaugural tournament at Lord’s.

1982International

Women’s cricket joins the ICC

International women’s governance began its eventual integration with the ICC.

2003England and Wales

Professional Twenty20 begins

The three-hour format entered county cricket and rapidly spread worldwide.

24 September 2007Johannesburg, South Africa

First men’s T20 World Cup

India defeated Pakistan before a huge global audience.

2008Sri Lanka

Decision Review System trial

Players gained a structured way to refer umpiring decisions using technology.

2 April 2011Mumbai, India

India wins the World Cup

India’s victory gave Sachin Tendulkar the World Cup title pursued across six tournaments.

Connected: Sachin Tendulkar

23 July 2017London, England

Women’s World Cup final transforms reach

England defeated Mithali Raj’s India before a sold-out Lord’s crowd.

Connected: Mithali Raj

September 2023International

ICC announces equal World Cup prize money

The ICC equalised prize money for comparable women’s and men’s global events.

Connected: Mithali Raj · Sachin Tendulkar