<P> The growth of cricket in the mid and late 19th century was assisted by the development of the railway network . For the first time, teams from a long distance apart could play one other without a prohibitively time - consuming journey . Spectators could travel longer distances to matches, increasing the size of crowds . Army units around the Empire had time on their hands, and encouraged the locals so they could have some entertaining competition . Most of the Empire embraced cricket, with the exception of Canada . </P> <P> In 1864, another bowling revolution resulted in the legalisation of overarm and in the same year Wisden Cricketers' Almanack was first published . W.G. Grace began his long and influential career at this time, his feats doing much to increase cricket's popularity . He introduced technical innovations which revolutionised the game, particularly in batting . </P> <P> The first ever international cricket game was between the USA and Canada in 1844 . The match was played at the grounds of the St George's Cricket Club in New York . </P> <P> In 1859, a team of leading English professionals set off to North America on the first - ever overseas tour and, in 1862, the first English team toured Australia . Between May and October 1868, a team of Australian Aborigines toured England in what was the first Australian cricket team to travel overseas . </P>

When was the first international game of cricket played