Nineteenth century Canadian Cricket is dominated by the Upper Canada College Cricket Club and the Toronto Cricket Club. George Barber was heavily involved in the establishment of both, earning him the title of Father of Canadian Cricket. The Toronto Cricket Club was founded in 1827, arguably making it Canada's first cricket club although it was actually named the York Cricket Club until the settlement was renamed Toronto in 1834. For a history of Toronto Cricket Club by Ed Bracht click on the link below:

http://www.canadiancricket.org/index.jsp?page_id=TCSCC

In 1829 the Upper Canada College was founded and although cricket was played there from the outset it wasn't until 1836 that the Upper Canada College Cricket Club was formed. In the same year the annual contest between the two clubs started. The UCC CC was open to old boys as well as current students, thus allowing players to compete for either team and it was common for early Canadian cricketers to play for a number of clubs. The annual matches between the Toronto and UCC teams became the highlight of the season, rivalled only by the international matches between the United States and Canada.

In 1834 Toronto played against Guelph at Hamilton, which was the first recorded match where the teams had to travel any real distance. The venue of Hamilton was chosen to give both teams an equal distance to travel. This also became a regular match, with UCC stalwarts GA Barber and FW Barron playing for Toronto. Other clubs from this period included Cobourg and Hamilton.

Bytown Cricket Club was formed in 1849, before both the Club and settlement were renamed Ottawa. GP Barker was known as the father of cricket in Ottawa.

Captain of Pemberton of 60th Rifles laid a pitch at Rideau Hall in 1865.

In July 1881 the Hamilton Times claimed that the Canadian team could be selected purely from the Hamilton Club.

On 30 September 1884 Ottawa played against Government House. Sir John A McDonald visited the ground. Could this have been when he declared cricket was Canada's national sport?

Link back to the first established clubs page.