Named after Karl André Auty – the K. A. Auty Cup is reputed to be the oldest rivalry in not only cricket, but sports altogether.
HISTORY
The rivalry dates all the way back to 1844, when the Canadians visited New York for a two-day match which, in front of an estimated 20,000 spectators, became the first-ever international sporting fixture. With a 23-run Canadian victory in the first encounter, and a 65-run triumph in the rematch at Montreal a year later, cricket so captured the imagination of the Canadian public that by 1867, the first Prime Minister Sir John A. Macdonald declared it the national sport.
Sometime in the 1930s, a trophy was donated by Chicago cricket enthusiast Karl André Auty, and ever since, the North American rivalry of 150 years has been known as the K. A. Auty Cup. The trophy was retired in 1963 to honour the memory of K. A. Auty – four years after his passing. The modern incarnation of the trophy and the series itself has been a more sporadic affair, with the last edition being held in 2000. The original trophy remains as national heritage in the
Canadian Museum of History.
In December of 1999 – five years after the last series – USA Cricket CEO Parth Kadakia and Cricket Canada President Jack Tunney announced a revival of the rivalry, which was received with an overwhelmingly positive response on both sides. An itinerary was put in place for USA to tour Canada for a two-match Test series in July the following year, which would then be followed by three ODIs in August.
Staying true to tradition, only the Test series would be contested for the K. A. Auty Cup. Cricket Canada President Jack Tunney also confirmed that the original K. A. Auty Cup would be un-retired and re-dedicated to the memory of its chief patron, and awarded to the winners of the 2000 series. Two weeks before travel, United States confirmed they would be stopping by Stratford to play a three-day tour game against the Atlantic Region first-class side. They would then travel to Verdun and play Quebec before officially commencing the tour, playing the first Test against Canada at that very venue.
