How old is first-class cricket?

Question

What is the earliest cricket match officially recognised as first-class? For example, the record for the lowest innings total is officially 12, but there are examples of lower totals if you go back far enough. So what is the criterion for inclusion in records? Can any cricket statisticians help?

Answer 1

It evolved in 1300.

The English game originated in the sheep-raising country of the South East, where the short grass of the pastures made it possible to bowl or roll  a ball of rags or wool at a target. That target was usually the wicket-gate of the sheep paddock, which was defended with a bat in the form of a shepherd's crooked staff.

The 1st recorded cricket match took place in Kent in 1646 and, by the late 1600s fines were actually handed out for those missed church church to play. Cricket was popular and widely documented in England during the 1700s

The 1st written "Laws of Cricket" were established in 1744.

Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) was founded in 1787.

And so on.

But Modern day Cricket is as Amit writes. As per Wikipedia.

Answer 2

The term was adapted by Imperial Cricket Conference in May 1947.

The term "first-class cricket" was formally defined by the then Imperial Cricket Conference (ICC) in May 1947 as a match of three or more days duration between two sides of eleven players officially adjudged first-class; the governing body in each country to decide the status of teams. Significantly, it was stated that the definition does not have retrospective effect. MCC was authorised to determine the status of matches played in Great Britain.

For all intents and purposes, the 1947 ICC definition confirmed the 1895 MCC definition and gave it international recognition and usage.

Answer 3

1895