Sport in Australia in his book, "Australia", published in 1870, "The English passion for the amusements which are technically called 'sports', is not a national necessity with the Americans, whereas with the Australians it is almost as much so as home." The first team formally organised soccer team was formed in Sydney in 1880 and was named the Wanderers. Sport was receiving coverage in Australian newspapers by 1876 when a sculling race in England was reported in the "Sydney Morning Herald". In 1877, Australia played in the first Test Cricket match against England. In 1882, The Ashes were started following the victory of
West Indian cricket team in England in 1995 Reiffel. The West Indians defeat became a symbolic point in the exchange of power between the two nations, ending their all-dominant form and signalling Australia overtaking them as the leading cricketing nation. England had not won a series against the Windies since 1969. For England, Mike Atherton was retained as captain, though his appointment was only confirmed on the eve of the season, and the One Day International series saw debuts for Lancashire's Peter Martin and Kent's Alan Wells, while the West Indies blooded Ottis Gibson, a fiery all-rounder from Barbados. The early part of the tour was hampered by