US vs. Canada Rivalry: 180 Years On, Continues

US vs. Canada Rivalry

In 1844, a significant year in various parts of the world, renowned French artist Georges Seurat was working on what would later be celebrated as one of his masterpieces, “A Sunday on La Grande Jatte”.

Not far from France, in Vienna, Austria, Johann Strauss II, the Waltz King of classical music, was composing “Poems of the Senses or Epigrams”.

Meanwhile, in India, simmering discontent against colonial rulers was setting the stage for a revolt that would erupt a decade later.

Across the Atlantic, the United States was preparing for its 15th Presidential election, set for November 1844. Before Democrat James K. Polk could be elected as the 11th President, history was being made on the cricket fields of New York.

The United States faced the British Empire’s Canadian Province in the world’s first international cricket match in the Big Apple, a full 33 years before the famed Ashes rivalry between England and Australia began.

During this period, cricket was gaining popularity in North America, brought by British colonizers in the 1700s. Philadelphia, the largest city in Pennsylvania, emerged as the hub of cricketing activity.

Although the match took place in the Fall of 1844, it could have occurred four years earlier.

In 1840, the St George’s Cricket Club of New York received an invitation from a Mr. Phillpotts to play against Toronto in Canada.

Eighteen New York cricket enthusiasts made the arduous journey, only to discover that the Canadian team was unaware of the match.

Nevertheless, the spirit of cricket prevailed, and a match was arranged, which the New Yorkers won without losing a wicket.

Four years later, the American side extended an invitation to the Canadians to play at the grounds of the St George’s Cricket Club in New York on September 24 and 25, 1844.

Records indicate that the Canadian players faced a challenging journey due to underdeveloped travel networks.

On match day, the American team included players from clubs in Washington DC, Boston, New York City, and Philadelphia.

The teams provided their own umpires, with Canada’s John Conolly joining USA’s Harry Russell and Robert Waller.

The game, scheduled to start at 10 am on September 26, was delayed for unspecified reasons. The USA won the toss and opted to field first, bowling Canada out for 88 runs.

Samuel Wright Sr., the groundskeeper of the St George’s Cricket Club, took five wickets for the USA. The American team struggled in reply, ending their first day with 61 runs and only one wicket remaining. Rain washed out the second day’s play, necessitating an extension to a third day.

On the third day, Canada quickly took the final American wicket for just two more runs, bowling them out for 63 and giving Canada a slight lead.

In their second innings, Canada was bowled out for 83, with Wright taking four more wickets. The USA needed 82 runs to win, but George Sharpe’s six-wicket haul helped Canada secure a 23-run victory.

It is estimated that 20,000 spectators witnessed this historic first international cricket match between the neighboring countries.

Betting played a significant role in this fixture, with nearly US$100,000 wagered (equivalent to about US$4.18 million today) despite the prize money being a mere US$1,000 (around US$41,000 today).

Cricket remained popular in the USA until the 1860s, when the American Civil War shifted the nation’s focus. As sports like basketball, baseball, and American football gained traction, cricket’s prominence waned.

Now, nearly 180 years after the first international match, it is poetic that the USA and Canada are set to face each other again in the opening fixture of the T20 World Cup on Saturday night.

This tournament, featuring 20 teams vying for the ultimate glory, brings hope to cricket enthusiasts that unlike in 1844, cricket fandom in the USA will ignite and flourish.

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