The Oldest Records in Test Cricket: First Test, First Century and Other Milestones
Test cricket's oldest records date to 1877, when the first ever Test match was played in Melbourne. This guide covers the earliest milestones in Test cricket history.
Test cricket began on 15 March 1877 at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, when Australia played England in what is retrospectively recognised as the first Test match. The match was part of James Lillywhite's England touring team's visit to Australia — though at the time it was simply called 'Australia vs England,' with no concept of a formal Test series yet existing. Australia won the match by 45 runs, and Charles Bannerman of Australia scored the first century in Test cricket — 165 retired hurt — becoming the first holder of cricket's most coveted batting record. The history of Test cricket's firsts is a catalogue of the game's evolution over nearly 150 years.
First Milestones in Test Cricket
Charles Bannerman scored the first Test century (165) in the first ever Test match in 1877. The first Test hat-trick was taken by Fred Spofforth of Australia in 1879. The first Test double century was scored by Billy Murdoch (211) for Australia in 1884. The first Test triple century was W.R. Hammond's 336* for England against New Zealand in 1933. The first Test quadruple century was Len Hutton's 364 for England against Australia in 1938. The first Test to end in a draw (rather than being played to a finish) was the second 1877 match. The first five-day Test was played in 1930; before that, Tests were played to a conclusion over however many days it took, sometimes lasting weeks.
Oldest Continuous Records
Some of cricket's oldest records have stood for over a century. Hanif Mohammad's innings of 970 minutes (16 hours 10 minutes) for Pakistan against West Indies in 1958-59 remains the longest individual innings in Test history. Jack Hobbs's record of 98 first-class centuries (including 15 Test centuries) stood from his retirement in 1934 until Sachin Tendulkar surpassed him in 2013. The partnership record of 576 between Sanath Jayasuriya and Roshan Mahanama for the second wicket for Sri Lanka against India in 1997 remains the highest ever Test partnership. Some of the most durable records in sport belong to cricket, where the statistical framework has been consistent since 1877.
Frequently asked questions
When was the first Test cricket match played?
The first Test match was played from 15 to 19 March 1877 at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, between Australia and England. Australia won by 45 runs. Charles Bannerman scored 165 retired hurt — the first Test century in cricket history.
Who scored the first century in Test cricket?
Charles Bannerman of Australia scored the first century in Test cricket — 165 retired hurt — in the first ever Test match at Melbourne in March 1877. He retired hurt after being struck on a finger by a delivery from George Ulyett of England.
What is the oldest standing record in Test cricket?
Several records from the early 20th century remain unbroken. The highest Test innings partnership (576 between Jayasuriya and Mahanama, Sri Lanka vs India, 1997) is relatively recent. The longest innings (Hanif Mohammad, 970 minutes, 1958-59) is from the 1950s. Jim Laker's figures of 19/90 in the 1956 Old Trafford Test — 10 wickets in an innings, 19 in a match — remain the most exceptional bowling performance in Test history.