The Spark That Ignited a Legacy: James Lillywhite's Historic Cricket Tour

On 15 March 1877, cricket history saw its first-ever Test match, the start of a legendary rivalry between Australia and England. James Lillywhite, an English trailblazer, took a team of professional cricketers to Australia, where they played a Combined Australia XI at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. The match, not initially considered a Test, was subsequently given that status, becoming a landmark in cricket history. Lillywhite's side, while regarded as weak because it lacked such leading amateurs as W.G. Grace, was determined and possessed staying power. The series was a draw, Australia having taken the first Test by 45 runs and England taking the second by four wickets. The first series set the stage for the Ashes rivalry, which has been entertaining generations of cricket fans.

Source: Cricket History Chronicles