NTCA Ground

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North Tasmania Cricket Association Ground
NTCA Ground.jpg
LocationElphin, Tasmania
Coordinates41°25′47″S 147°9′6″E / 41°25′47″S 147°9′6″E / -41.42972; 147.15167Cricinfo

The North Tasmania Cricket Association Ground, better known as the NTCA Ground, is the oldest first-class cricket ground in Australia. It is a multi-use sports venue situated in Launceston, Australia. In 1851, the ground hosted Australia's first intercolonial and initial first class cricket match. It is currently used mostly for club cricket matches and has a capacity of under 10,000.[1][2]

History

The NTCA Ground was known as the Launceston Racecourse till 1841, after which it was renamed the Launceston Cricket Club Ground. It held this name till the 1885–86 season, after which it was renamed the North Tasmania Cricket Association Ground, a name that continues till date.[1][2]

The NTCA Ground was the first cricket ground in Australia to host a first-class cricket match. In 1851, the ground hosted the first ever first-class cricket match in Australia, with the Van Diemen's Land XI defeating the Port Phillip XI.[1][3] In 1986, it hosted its first – and to date, only – one-day international with a record crowd of 9,876 watching India defeat New Zealand.