Cricket history: Year of the first international cricket match ever played. In which calendar year was the first officially recognized international cricket match contested (USA vs Canada)?

Topic: Earliest international cricket

Given data

• Identify the first-ever international cricket match by year.

Concept/Approach
The first international cricket match was played between USA and Canada in 1844 (at St George's Cricket Club, New York). The first Test match came later in 1877 (Australia vs England).

Reasoning steps
International (non-Test) origin → 1844. Do not confuse with 1877 (first Test) or later administrative milestones (e.g., ICC 1909).

Common pitfalls

• Selecting 1877 by mixing up ‘‘first international’’ with ‘‘first Test’’.

Final Answer
1844