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Updated: 21/11/2008

Australian Cricket
MCG
On the 9th March 1977 Australia issued 6 stamps to celebrate the Centenary of the first match between Australia and England played at the MCG. The stamps showed batsman, bowlers, fielders and the wicket keeper on a backdrop of the MCG. The pavilion shown is the first built at the MCG in 1854. The clock was added in 1860. A re-enactment test was played in 1977 with the result being the same as the first test, with Australia winning by 45 runs. The stamps were also released as a Australia Post FDC with a MCG Postmark, Wesley Cover, TCCB Official Cover (green), TCCB Official Cover (Qld), (NSW), (Vic), (SA) and (WA), Fleetwood Cover, Strand Cover and also as a Franklin Mint  and Birmingham Mint Numinastic Cover. These stamps were re-released in 2007 in a Cricket in Australia Prestige Booklet. The booklet publishes an early lithograph of the MCG and the 1860 Victorian Eleven including Tom Wills the founder of Australian Football. The 1977 issue is shown with the MCG in the background.

Centenary Cricket at MCG
At the Ausipex Stamp Show in 1984 a Cinderella Miniature Sheet was produced by stamp producer Leigh-Mardon of three cricketers with the MCG in the background. Two main types were printed, one as a plain miniature sheet, (50,000 copies) and another with numbered Ausipex overprint (10,000 copies). Others with 1992 World Cup overprint and 1984 Adelaide Oval Centenary Test overprint also exist.

A cover was released to commemorate the first game under lights at the MCG in 1985.

On the 24/06/1991 the second Cricket Permanent Pictorial PM was released. Limited Edition Covers released a Cover with a drawing of the MCG as the cachet and Stand also released a Cover for the MCG Postmark. The 1982 Centenary of Ashes PSE was also postmarked with the new mark.

On 15/10/1992 the Sheffield Shield Centenary (now Pura Cup) was commemorated by the release of two stamps, one of the bowler's end and one of the batsman's end. The two together seem to show the Gray Smith Stand at the MCG. Australia Post released a single cover with 6 different postmarks for each State Cricket Association and one for the Shield. On the 18/12/1992 another postmark to mark the first game between NSW and SA was released. Wesley Cover Service released a cover and the Australia Post cover is shown with the MCG Postmark.

The Australia v West Indies Series was commemorated by Strand by the release of a set of covers showing an early view of the MCG and 1992 Stamp. There was also the relevant postmark for the Gabba, MCG and Perth.

Cricket at the MCG
The above cover showing the MCG was released at Stampshow 02 at Melbourne with first day green Cricket Postmark.

On the 8/3/2005 as part of the Sport's Treasures issue, AP released a maximum card of Don Bradman entering the MCG.

On the 12th December 2006 Australia Post released a Souvenir Stamp Sheet to commemorate the 100th Test match played on the MCG stating on Boxing Day. The Back Cover of the SES container gives a history of the MCG. A FDC of the Ashes cover and postmark with the MCG stamp was also produced.

At the end of 2007 Grenada issued a 24 stamp issue on 6 souvenir sheets celebrating Shane Warne. One of the stamps commemorated his 700th wicket at the MCG. The "legendary" sheetlet described his Aussie Rules background.

Tasmanian Cricket Assoc Ground (TCA)
The initial stand was built in 1880. The ground became the home of the Hobart Football Club from 1945 until 1982 when it fell into ruin. Hobart again returned in 1995 and 1996 in the Statewide Competition and from 1998 in the present Southern Football League. The 150th Anniversary of the TCA was commemorated by a cachet of the ground on the 1982 Ashes Centenary PSE.

Adelaide Oval
The Adelaide Oval construction was commenced in 1871 and completed in 1873. The first football game was played in 1876. The record crowd for the ground was 62,543 for the 1965 Grand Final between Port Adelaide and Sturt. The last Grand final was played in 1975 with the move to Football Park. Interstate and minor finals are still played at Adelaide Oval.

The first Sheffield Shield was won by SA in 1892-93. The trophy was not finished and was presented to SA in 1894 during a football Match. The commemorative stamps and commentary were re-released in 2007 in a Cricket in Australia Prestige Booklet.

The Adelaide Oval Centenary Test was marked by the release of a PSE with a cachet of the Oval and cricketer and a commemorative Postmark. Strand released a Cover with a cachet similar to the postmark and a Cover postmarked with each day of the test and the MCG Ausipex Cinderella of the MCG.

The Gabba

BCG Trust Meter

Gabba Logo
Meters for the BCG Trust

The Brisbane Cricket Ground had the World's First Permanent Pictorial Cricket Postmark released on the 24/01/1986. Limited Edition Covers released a Cover with a drawing of the Gabba as the cachet. Four variations have also been released including the Sheffield Shield Cover, Qld Shield Win, Qld Shield Win and First Ashes Test 2006 It is also the home ground of the Brisbane Lions.

Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG)
Land was set aside for the SCG in 1810. The first intercolonial Game was played in 1881 with NSW playing Victoria.
The 1997 Australian Legend Stamp, 2001 Vale Bradman Stamp and the Vale PM were based on Bradmans Record Innings of 452* in 1930 at the SCG for NSW against Queensland.

The maximum cards for the 1997 Australian Legend Issue and 2001 Vale Bradman Issue were photographs of the Don walking onto the SCG in 1947 for Australia against India.

The Front cover of the Souvenir Pack for both the 1997 Australian Legend Issue and 2001 Vale Bradman Issue were photographs of the Don walking onto the SCG in 1949 for the last time. The back of both Packs showed his Exit from the ground.

The Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) has been the home ground for the 2005 Premiers The Sydney Swans since 1982.

The annual Legends issue on the 24th January 2007 included a Prestige Booklet of the previous 10 issues. The initial issue in 1997 commemorated Don Bradman shown on a Miniature Sheet with explanatory Text.

The commemorative stamps were re-released in 2007 in a Cricket in Australia Prestige Booklet.

West Australian Cricket Ground (WACA)
On the 16th January 2007 Australia Post issued two stamps to celebrate Australia's regaining of the Ashes.  (see 2005 Ashes at the Oval). The 50c stamp shows a shot taken during play and the $1.85 stamp shows victory celebrations. They were issued both as gummed and peel and stick varieties. The gummed stamps are displayed on the FDC and the FDC of the miniature sheet is shown below.

2007 Ashes Victory Miniature Sheet
The Miniature Sheet shows the two stamps, the Ashes Urn and the WACA in the background. It was overprinted for the Melbourne APTA Stampshow with "Melbourne February 07" and a numbered limited edition of 400 with "APTA congratulates the Australian Cricket Team for regaining the Ashes 2006-07". A set of covers showing a Batsman & Congratulatory message from each of the five test venues including Brisbane

The maximum cards shown Warne taking the last wicket and the players congratulating him. Australia Post also released a Stamp Pack.

The Peel and Stick stamps were released in sheets of 5 for both the 0.50 cents and $1.85 and books of 50 for both the 0.50 cents and $1.85. No Australia Post FDC was issued but some Private covers were produced.

The WACA (Western Australia Cricket Ground) was used by the Eagles and Freo for night games until the Subiaco Ground was upgraded. 

On Australia Day, the 26th January 2007, there was the release of "The Urn Returns" pack and on the 2nd February 2007 a limited edition numinastic cover of 8000 was released.


Other Cricket Grounds
As football and cricket are unique in requiring such large ovals, it is no surprise that the grounds are often shared with cricket in summer and football in winter. Of the current football venues, one day games have been played at Telstra Stadium (Stadium Australia) and The Telstradome (Colonial Stadium) as well as Manuka Oval in Canberra.