In the eighth decade of ninenteenth century MCC watched the growing popularity in the England and surrounding British colonies. To give a further boost to the popularity of the game, MCC made a decision to start International cricket matches. The dream could be materialized in the year 1877 when an English team under the leadership of James Lilywhite went on a tour to Australia. March15, 1877 was a historical day as England and Australia started their first test match at the Melbourne cricket ground. Result of the maych was in the favor of Australia as they defeated the English team by 45 runs.

In the year 1882, when Australia toured England, they again defeated English team. However, this time margin was very narrow as England lost by just 7 runs. Excitement and tension was so much that Sporting Times described it as the 'Death of English Cricket.' The newspaper ran an obituary with the following footnote - "N.B. The body will be cremated and the ashes taken to Australia." Later on, when Englend again visited Australia, media described it as an attempt to regain the Ashes. At the end of the tour English captain received the specially designed trophy that contained some ashes. Ever since then the International cricket test match series between the two countries is known as the Ashes series.

The third nation to get the test match status in the International cricket was South Africa. Second nation to play with was again England. The test match was played at St. George's Park, Port Elizabeth, South Africa on March 12, 1888.

Triangular tournaments are also not a new affair to the International cricket. England already hosted a triangular tournament in as early as 1912. The other two countries were none other than Australia and South Africa.

During the period of both World War I and World War II no international cricket matches were played. However, between the periods of two World Wars, three countries, West Indies, New Zealand and India achieved the test cricket playing nation status.

Australian Tour of England during 1932-33 was the most controversial and hostile tour in the history of International cricket. English bowlers deliberately bowled fast and short-pitched deliveries with an ill intention of injuring the Australian batsmen. However, immediately after the tour, authorities amended the rules to prevent such things from occurring again.