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Cricket

Played throughout summer across the state, and with competitions available catering to all ages and abilities, cricket is one of the most popular sports in Victoria. Traditionally considered a men's game, it is becoming increasingly popular with female players, with more women's teams being formed, including at state and national levels. Most Saturdays in summer, players dressed in cricket whites can be seen dotted around sports ovals all around the state, even in small country towns.

For those who would like to see cricket played at the elite level, the Melbourne Cricket Ground is the place to go. More commonly known as the MCG, it's the traditional home of cricket in Victoria. It is located in East Melbourne and is the venue for both international and interstate cricket matches. Whether it's the thrill of a Twenty20 match, a one day, limited over game, or the more sedate pace of an international test or interstate Sheffield Shield match, with a seating capacity of 100,000, the atmosphere of cricket at the MCG is an experience in itself.

One of the most popular matches played at the MCG each year is the Boxing Day Test. As the name suggests, it commences on Boxing Day, and is played between the Australian team and whichever international team is touring Australia that year.

First established in1853, the MCG became the new home of the Melbourne Cricket Club when the club was forced to move from its original ground. Nine years later, the MCG hosted the first tour by an English cricket team, and then, in 1877, the first test match.

Today, the rivalry between Australia and England continues with biennial meetings to battle for The Ashes. In 1882, following a defeat at the hands of the Australians at The Oval, an English newspaper ran an obituary saying that English cricket had died and that "the body will be cremated and the ashes taken to Australia". The next time the two teams met was in Australia, where the England team captain was presented with an urn containing what is reputed to be the ashes of a burnt cricket bail or stump. Thus, The Ashes legend was born.

Further information:
- Cricket Australia: www.cricket.com.au
- Cricket Victoria: www.cricketvictoria.com.au
- Melbourne Cricket Ground: www.mcg.org.au