History of Australian cricket from 1900–01 to 1918 facts for kids

Australian cricket has a long and exciting history! This article explores the early days of Australian cricket, from the 1900–01 season right up until 1918. During this time, many famous players made their mark. Some of the most well-known Australian cricketers from this period include Joe Darling, Monty Noble, Victor Trumper, Clem Hill, Hugh Trumble, Warwick Armstrong, Charlie Macartney, Syd Gregory, Warren Bardsley, Bert Hopkins, Bill Howell, James Kelly, Tibby Cotter, and Bill Whitty.

Cricket at Home: Domestic Matches

Domestic cricket refers to the games played within Australia, usually between different states. The 1900–01 season was a big one for Clem Hill. He scored an amazing 365 runs without being out, helping South Australia win against New South Wales. Hill was the top scorer that season, with 620 runs.

Later, in the 1910–11 season, Bill Whitty was a star bowler when the South Africa team visited. He took 70 wickets, which means he got 70 batters out! Victor Trumper was the best Australian batter that season, scoring 1246 runs.

The 1914–15 season was the last one before the First World War started. Because of the war, professional cricket in Australia stopped until December 1918. Jack Ryder was the top run scorer in 1914–15.

Who Won the Sheffield Shield?

The Sheffield Shield is a famous first-class cricket competition in Australia. Teams from different states play against each other. Here are the winners during this period:

• 1900–01 – Victoria
• 1901–02 – New South Wales
• 1902–03 – New South Wales
• 1903–04 – New South Wales
• 1904–05 – New South Wales
• 1905–06 – New South Wales
• 1906–07 – New South Wales
• 1907–08 – Victoria
• 1908–09 – New South Wales
• 1909–10 – South Australia
• 1910–11 – New South Wales
• 1911–12 – New South Wales
• 1912–13 – South Australia
• 1913–14 – New South Wales
• 1914–15 – Victoria
• 1915–18 – No competition due to World War I

International Cricket: Tours to Australia

Cricket teams from other countries often visited Australia to play matches, known as "tours." These tours included "Test" matches, which are the longest and most important form of cricket.

England Tours Australia (1901–02)

England toured Australia for a series of Test matches. Australia won this series, showing their strength in cricket.

• 1st Test at Sydney Cricket Ground – England won
• 2nd Test at Melbourne Cricket Ground – Australia won
• 3rd Test at Adelaide Oval – Australia won
• 4th Test at Sydney Cricket Ground – Australia won
• 5th Test at Melbourne Cricket Ground – Australia won

For more information about this tour, see: English cricket team in Australia in 1901-02

England Tours Australia (1902–03)

Another English team, led by Lord Hawke, visited Australia and New Zealand. They played three important matches in Australia against New South Wales, South Australia, and Victoria.

England Tours Australia (1903–04)

England returned for another Test series. This time, England won the series against Australia.

• 1st Test at Sydney Cricket Ground – England won
• 2nd Test at Melbourne Cricket Ground – England won
• 3rd Test at Adelaide Oval – Australia won
• 4th Test at Sydney Cricket Ground – England won
• 5th Test at Melbourne Cricket Ground – Australia won

For more information about this tour, see: English cricket team in Australia in 1903-04

England Tours Australia (1907–08)

Australia hosted England again and managed to win the Test series.

• 1st Test at Sydney Cricket Ground – Australia won
• 2nd Test at Melbourne Cricket Ground – England won
• 3rd Test at Adelaide Oval – Australia won
• 4th Test at Melbourne Cricket Ground – Australia won
• 5th Test at Sydney Cricket Ground – Australia won

For more information about this tour, see: English cricket team in Australia in 1907-08

South Africa Tours Australia (1910–11)

The South African team visited Australia for a Test series. Australia showed strong performance and won the series.

• 1st Test at Sydney Cricket Ground – Australia won
• 2nd Test at Melbourne Cricket Ground – Australia won
• 3rd Test at Adelaide Oval – South Africa won
• 4th Test at Melbourne Cricket Ground – Australia won
• 5th Test at Sydney Cricket Ground – Australia won

England Tours Australia (1911–12)

England came back to Australia and won this Test series.

• 1st Test at Sydney Cricket Ground – Australia won
• 2nd Test at Melbourne Cricket Ground – England won
• 3rd Test at Adelaide Oval – England won
• 4th Test at Melbourne Cricket Ground – England won
• 5th Test at Sydney Cricket Ground – England won

For more information about this tour, see: English cricket team in Australia in 1911-12

New Zealand Tours Australia (1913–14)

The New Zealand team made their second tour of Australia. They played four matches in December 1913 and January 1914. New Zealand played against teams from Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria, and South Australia.

New Zealand achieved their first win in Australia by beating Queensland in Brisbane. Their captain, Dan Reese, was key to this victory. While they lost to New South Wales and Victoria, they managed to draw their match against South Australia.

External sources

• CricketArchive — itinerary of Australian cricket