Date: Mon, 02 Jul 2001 02:01:30 -0500
Subject: RE: The etymology of "test" cricket?


Ajaa,

I had posed your query to a friend who is more informed about the game than I 
am. Thought I'd pass it along to the list.

Best,

satish




>===== Original Message From Ajay Singh <ajay_singh-AT-vistaar.com> ====This is a tough one!
Here is the closest answer,I could get.

In October 1861, an English representative cricket team captained by
Heathfield Stephenson, set sail from Liverpool in England with the purpose
of visiting Australia and engaging the "local" colonial population in a
number of cricket matches. On arrival in Australia in March 1862, the
English team was amazed by the greeting they received from thousands of
people present when the ship berthed in Melbourne. More to their amazement
was the fact, the streets of Melbourne were lined by many thousands more
people who had come out to greet the visiting team.

Although cricket had already been well established in Australia for many
years, the Englishmen could not believe the level of support for the game in
Australia. Rather than treated as simple sportsmen, they were accorded a
level of status usually reserved for the most important VIP's and royalty.
It appeared to the Englishmen, the sport was as popular in Australia as it
was in the mother country.

During their tour of Australia, the English team played a total of 14
matches against a variety of teams representing the colonies of Victoria and
New South Wales. Australia at this time, was made up of a number of seperate
colonies and as such, did not have a National team for cricket, therefore at
no stage did the Englishmen have the opportunity to take on the best the
Aussies could muster. What is very notable about the tour however, is the
fact the Englishmen competed against a team in Melbourne, representing The
World.

>From the 14 matches played, it became very evident to the touring team,
Australia was not to be taken lightly when it came to the sport of cricket.
A total of 5 draws and 3 losses were inflicted upon the tourists, who had at
no stage conceived any idea the Australians may be capable of offering any
decent competition. The touring English team who numbered only 12 players
were often faced in several of these matches, with the daunting prospect of
competing against 22 or more opponents. The laws of cricket at the time did
not stipulate any maximum number of competitors for each team, therefore
opposing teams would often drastically outnumber their opposition.

This initial tour to Australia was to give birth to an annual competition
between the two countries, however the first Australian touring team did not
go to England until 1868. A little know fact amongst cricket fans is, this
Australian team consisted solely of Australian indigenous players. Not only
did these indigenous players equate themselves more than adequately during
this inaugural tour, they were able to beat their opposition on at least 14
occassions. The English cricket authorites were not only taken aback with
the fact they were beaten, but the fact they were beaten by what they
described as a team of "savages".

The annual competition between England and Australia continued for several
years to come. On 5th March 1877, a touring English team met the Australian
team in the very first Test match in Melbourne. This match was a ferociously
competitive game with the Australians coming out on top and winning by the
margin of 45 runs. The English were not happy with this situation as they
had put together the finest team of professional cricketers money could buy
at the time. They found it difficult to accept they had been beaten in the
very first test match, by a team from the colonies that consisted mainly of
part-time cricketers.

Ajay
-----Original Message-----
From: satish kolluri [mailto:skolluri-AT-DEPAUW.EDU]
Sent: Monday, July 02, 2001 5:49 AM
To: kittu-AT-corp.danastreet.com
Cc: manoj.tadepalli-AT-ogilvy.com
Subject: FWD: The etymology of "test" cricket?


Any suggestions for Ajaa on the origins of "test" in cricket?

satish




>===== Original Message From Ajaa69-AT-aol.com ====Dear list members:

I am writing an essay on cricket and imperialism and I was wondering if you
could
help me understand the origins of the word "test match." My sense of it is
that
the MCC created the term at a time (early 1880s, perhaps just prior to 1882)
when they considered the Australians as inferior to themselves. Hence the
latter were subject to "tests" of their cricketing prowess, which, of
course,
represented development in other facets of colonial life. Now this is an
informed guess. It is also possible that a "test match" was supposed to
gauge
or "test" the skill level of each player.

I have read a great deal on cricket (Sandiford, Stoddart, Altham and
Swanton,
etc.) but have found nothing on the origins of this term. Any help would be
most appreciated.

Thanks in advance.

Ajaa

**********************************************
Satish Kolluri,
Department of Communication Arts and Sciences,
103E Performing Arts Center,
DePauw University, Greencastle, IN 46135

Ph: 765 658 6559 (O)
    765 655 1802 (H)

skolluri-AT-depauw.edu

**********************************************
Satish Kolluri,
Department of Communication Arts and Sciences,
103E Performing Arts Center, 
DePauw University, Greencastle, IN 46135

Ph: 765 658 6559 (O)
    765 655 1802 (H)

skolluri-AT-depauw.edu



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