Australian Services cricket can trace its proud origins back to three charity matches that were played in June and July 1918 in London between an England XI and a Dominions XI. The Dominions XI comprised a mixture of Australian, New Zealand and South African servicemen who had played at Test, First Class and Club cricket level. The Dominions side won the series 1-0.
History honours these soldiers for the major part they played in ushering English citizens back from the rigours of a World War to the peacetime pleasures of sport. This team showed the public something of what they were to see on the Australian Imperial Forces (AIF) tour of England, South Africa and Australia in 1919/20.
To most people, the AIF cricket team seemed to spring into existence from literally nowhere.
The team was drawn from 100,000 battle weary soldiers who had fought in France, the Middle East and Belgium. Only the Captain, Lance Corporal Herbert Collins, had played First Class cricket before enlisting for service. Each man's rank was deleted so that a Lance Corporal on 7 shillings and 6 pence per day could lead a side containing seven commissioned officers without any question of a right of authority.
Names mostly unknown beyond school teams and Club XIs leaped into the headlines. One player, Army Corporal William 'Bert' Oldfield, went from a 3rd Grade District wicket-keeper in the Sydney competition to keeping for the AIF XI and subsequently for Australia at Test level. History records that through his participation in the AIF XI he became one of the great test wicket-keepers, playing 54 Tests and effecting 130 dismissals. Five other players from this team also went on to play Test cricket for Australia.
The AIF team of 15 commenced its tour in the United Kingdom on 14 May 1919 and played 34 matches, of which 28 were designated as First Class fixtures, recording 15 wins, 15 draws and 4 losses. Towards the close of this season in England, the AIF Sports Control Board, under the Presidency of Brigadier-General T. Griffith, CMG, CBE, DSO, received a cablegram from the South African Government asking if arrangements could be made for a six-week tour of South Africa. The Minister of Defence, Senator Pearce, who was then in England, provided the necessary permission and the team sailed at the end of September and arrived in Cape Town the following month. In all, 10 games were played with the AIF team recording 8 wins and 2 draws. Upon the team's return to Australia they played matches against Victoria, Queensland and New South Wales recording 2 wins and a draw. The AIF team played an integral part in the rebuilding of Australian Test teams after the First World War.
It was to be some 25 years before another Australian Services team would be formed. Under the captaincy of Test player, Warrant Officer Class Two Lindsay Hassett, the 1945 side played matches in England, India, Ceylon (now Sri Lanka) and Australia. The find of the team was undoubtedly RAAF Sergeant (later Flying Officer) Keith Miller, who went on to become one of the greatest Test all-rounders of all time. The '45 side played five 'Victory Tests' against an England XI watched by 370,000 people over 15 days at Lord's, Sheffield and Old Trafford, in what became known as the 'Happy Series', recording 2 wins, 2 losses and a draw. This team is recognised as resurrecting international cricket after six years of war.
Not until 1983 would another Services side venture overseas and this time it was to New Zealand where wins were recorded against various Services and Invitational XIs. History now records that it was through the efforts of one man, Lieutenant Colonel Denis Byrne, that the Australian Services Cricket Association (ASCA) was formed in 1986. The Association is charged with the responsibility of managing inter-Service cricket at national level, hosting tours by other Armed Forces and conducting tours such as this one to England.
The tour by the New Zealand Defence Force in 1987 was the first major activity for this fledgling Association. The UK Defence Forces toured Australia in 1989 and then Australia was invited to tour New Zealand in 1990. A successful tour of Singapore and England followed in 1993 with a highlight being the win against the UK Combined Services at Portsmouth. Without doubt the efforts of Colonel Byrne have left a fine legacy for his successors to foster, and in recognition of his efforts the Association awarded him inaugural Life Membership in 1994. In March 1997, a Combined Services team undertook a three-week tour of South Africa. This tour, like its predecessors, was a hard fought affair against various Services and Invitational teams, and it was a tremendous opportunity to play in a country that was for many years isolated from any sporting contact. In 2000, another successful tour was conducted; this time to Singapore and Malaysia (Kuala Lumpur and Penang) with the side recording 7 wins from 8 matches. Members from that team form the nucleus for this side to England. In between these activities, the ASCA has been pleased to host tours by New Zealand and United Kingdom Armed Forces teams.

HISTORY OF AUSTRALIAN SERVICES CRICKET
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