Test: 1st (1 January 1952), ODI: 1st (1 January 1990), T20I: 1st (1 May 2020)
First Test
vs. England at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, 15–19 March 1877
Last Test
vs. New Zealand at Hagley Oval, Christchurch, 8–11 March 2024
Australia Cricket Team
One of the most popular and loved cricket teams, the Australia cricket team compete in One-Day International (ODI) and Twenty20 International (T20I) cricket, as well as Test cricket. Australia played their first Test match in 1877. Their first ODI was against England in the 1970–71 season. They played their first T20I against New Zealand in the 2004–05 season. Interestingly, Australia won all of these inaugural matches.
As the most successful team, Australia’s success is largely attributed to their domestic structure. It includes the Sheffield Shield, the Australian domestic limited-overs cricket tournament, and the Big Bash League, which is equally popular as the IPL in India. Australia are currently the ICC World Test Championship and ICC Cricket World Cup champion.
The Australian cricket team, one of the oldest in Test cricket, made their debut in 1877. They defeated England by 45 runs in the first-ever Test match. After World War II, Australia continued its dominance, with their first Test against New Zealand in the 1945–46 season. Throughout the 1940s, they remained unbeaten, securing two Ashes series victories and winning their first Test series against India. By 2024, the team has played 866 Test matches, winning 414 and losing 232.
They are currently ranked No 1 in ODIs. Australia have won the Cricket World Cup six times, in 1987, 1999, 2003, 2007, 2015, and 2023. In 2002, Australia was named World Team of the Year at the Laureus World Sports Awards, acknowledging their world-record sequence of Test match victories.
One of the most successful Australian captains, Pat Cummins, first entered the Australian domestic cricket scene as a 17-year-old. He quickly made headlines. After an impressive Big Bash League campaign, Cummins made his way into the Australian international scene in 2011. He got a call-up to the T20 squad for the South Africa tour. His international debut in the 1st T20I was marked by figures of 3-25. His captaincy skills led Australia to victory in the 50-over World Cup and the 2023 World Test Championship,
Mitchell Marsh
Currently, Mitchell Marsh is the Australian T20I captain and one of the most promising Australian talents. He is recognized as one of the hardest hitters of the cricket ball, as well as a decent bowler. He made his state debut at the age of 17 and became an Under-19 World Cup-winning captain at 18. At a very young age, Marsh earned his first international call-up at 19. Mitchell became the youngest Australian to play in the domestic One-Day Cup in February 2009.
Steve Smith
Starting as a leg-spinner, this former Australian captain, Steve Smith, is one of the greatest Test batters. Although he is not in his peak form, he is still considered a champion player. Smith made his debut across formats in the 2007/08 domestic season as a leg-spinner who could bat a bit. But he found himself constantly in and out of the Australian side. He made his international debut in 2010. But after the Ashes series defeat at home, he was dropped from the Test side, while his limited-overs fortunes were not much different.