History of Australian cricket from 1890–91 to 1900 facts for kids
Australian cricket had a very special time from the 1890-91 season until 1900. People often call this period the Golden Age of cricket, just like in England. During these years, amazing Australian players became famous. These included Joe Darling, Clem Hill, Monty Noble, and especially Victor Trumper. Trumper was a super stylish player who showed how exciting this era was for cricket.
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Cricket in Australia
A big event in the 1890s was the start of the famous Sheffield Shield. This was a national championship for Australian colonial teams, beginning in the 1892–93 season. Lord Sheffield gave the Shield during his England team's tour in 1891–92. That team was led by the famous W G Grace.
Sheffield Shield Winners
Here are the teams that won the Sheffield Shield during this time:
- 1892–93 – Victoria
- 1893–94 – South Australia
- 1894–95 – Victoria
- 1895–96 – New South Wales
- 1896–97 – New South Wales
- 1897–98 – Victoria
- 1898–99 – Victoria
- 1899-1900 – New South Wales
Top Players Each Season
The lists below show the best batsmen (run scorers) and bowlers (wicket takers) in each domestic season.
Leading Batsmen
- 1890–91 – George Giffen scored 275 runs at an average of 91.66 (highest score 237)
- 1891–92 – Jack Lyons scored 557 runs at 55.70 (highest score 145)
- 1892–93 – George Giffen scored 468 runs at 58.50 (highest score 181)
- 1893–94 – George Giffen scored 526 runs at 75.14 (highest score 205)
- 1894–95 – Albert Ward scored 916 runs at 41.63 (highest score 219)
- 1895–96 – Harry Donnan scored 626 runs at 69.55 (highest score 160)
- 1896–97 – Jack Lyons scored 404 runs at 57.71 (highest score 113)
- 1897–98 – Clem Hill scored 1196 runs at 66.44 (highest score 200)
- 1898–99 – Victor Trumper scored 873 runs at 62.35 (highest score 292*)
- 1899-1900 – Victor Trumper scored 721 runs at 72.10 (highest score 208)
Leading Bowlers
- 1890–91 – Jim Phillips took 25 wickets at 10.00 (best bowling 7–20)
- 1891–92 – George Giffen took 50 wickets at 17.30 (best bowling 9–96)
- 1892–93 – George Giffen took 33 wickets at 23.00 (best bowling 9–147)
- 1893–94 – Charlie Turner took 30 wickets at 12.30 (best bowling 6–51)
- 1894–95 – George Giffen took 93 wickets at 22.54 (best bowling 8–77)
- 1895–96 – Tom McKibbin took 46 wickets at 23.86 (best bowling 8–93)
- 1896–97 – Tom McKibbin took 44 wickets at 14.88 (best bowling 8–74)
- 1897–98 – Ernie Jones took 76 wickets at 21.75 (best bowling 7–80)
- 1898–99 – Ernie Jones took 45 wickets at 27.53 (best bowling 6–154)
- 1899-1900 – Monty Noble took 37 wickets at 20.64 (best bowling 6–91)
International Cricket Tours to Australia
During this period, several cricket teams from other countries visited Australia to play matches. These tours often included "Test" matches, which are the highest level of international cricket.
England Tour 1891–92
England's team toured Australia in 1891–92.
- 1st Test at Melbourne Cricket Ground – Australia won by 54 runs
- 2nd Test at Sydney Cricket Ground – Australia won by 72 runs
- 3rd Test at Adelaide Oval – England won by an innings and 230 runs
England Tour 1894–95
England visited Australia again in 1894–95 for another series of matches.
- 1st Test at Sydney Cricket Ground – England won by 10 runs
- 2nd Test at Melbourne Cricket Ground – England won by 94 runs
- 3rd Test at Adelaide Oval – Australia won by 382 runs
- 4th Test at Sydney Cricket Ground – Australia won by an innings and 147 runs
- 5th Test at Melbourne Cricket Ground – England won by 6 wickets
England Tour 1897–98
Another England tour took place in 1897–98.
- 1st Test at Sydney Cricket Ground – England won by 9 wickets
- 2nd Test at Melbourne Cricket Ground – Australia won by an innings and 55 runs
- 3rd Test at Adelaide Oval – Australia won by an innings and 13 runs
- 4th Test at Melbourne Cricket Ground – Australia won by 8 wickets
- 5th Test at Sydney Cricket Ground – Australia won by 6 wickets
New Zealand Tour 1898–99
The New Zealand cricket team came to Australia for the first time in the 1898–99 season. They played two important matches in February.
More Information
- CricketArchive — Australian cricket history
