Cricket in Argentina was first mentioned in the year 1806 by Major Alexander Gillespie, who was a Royal Marine officer. He was taken prisoner when the British seized Buenos Aires. Although the people of Argentina swear by football, cricket in Argentina is also one of the popular sports in Argentina.
A reference in the English language weekly paper, known as the British Packet, in its edition of 22nd October 1831 talked about the formation of a cricket club in Buenos Aires. The Argentine Cricket Association was founded in the year 1913. Cricket fanatics from all over the world will get to know about the history of cricket in Argentina on tours in Argentina. The history of the Argentina cricket can be classified into various phases.
The period between 1806 and 1900 saw cricket gaining a strong foothold in Argentina. The first international matches took place. With time, several clubs came into being. Cricket, Argentina was since then characterized by a fierce contest between the great North and South. Argentina first played its international game against Uruguay in the year 1868. The two teams met for 29 times till the Second World War, with Argentina winning 21 and losing 6 of them.
The years 1900 to 1939 were a golden era in Argentina's cricketing history. It was during this time, when cricket reached soaring heights. Many players similar to the English County standard found a place in the cricketing squad of Argentina.
However from 1945 to 1960, cricket in Argentina was at its decline. This was a time during the pre-Second World War, when the scene of cricket in Argentina looked glum. Cricket in Argentina showed signs of recovery between 1961 and 1980.
Young and promising individual cricketers played with ardor and began to gain popularity in the world of cricket. Argentina participated at the ICC Trophy during this period.
1980's again saw a decline in cricket. However, fortunes reversed in the following decade which signaled much promise for the future cricket in Argentina. Like soccer, Argentina has seen Brazil as their traditional rivals in a game of cricket. The first match between them took place in the year 1888. With the formation of the ACA, cricket in Argentina is expected to grow even with greater intensity.
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