Homecoming innings for a Tasmanian treasure

The earliest known Tasmanian cricket painting, capturing the first match between England and Tasmania.

We are delighted to be the new custodian of an important historic painting of a cricket match in Lutruwita/Tasmania.

It has been one of the most talked-about sporting history acquisitions in recent years.

This painting is the only surviving visual record of the first-ever cricket match between England and Tasmania in 1862.

It is the latest acquisition of the Allport Library and Museum of Fine Arts, State Library and Archives of Tasmania and will soon be on display.

Titled All England XI v XXII of Tasmania, Hobart, February 1862, the painting records the first English cricket tour of Australia. The artist is unknown. The tour included a match at the ‘Government Paddock’ on the Domain, Nipaluna/Hobart, in February 1862.

The painting shows 22 amateur players from Hobart and Launceston competing against the touring English professional team. The Hobart players wore crimson, while the Launceston players wore white shirts. The English team also wore white. Tasmania lost, but only by four wickets.

All England XI v XXII of Tasmania will be on display in the Allport Library and Museum of Fine Arts from Thursday 12 November 2026 to Monday 31 May 2027.

At 6:00 pm on Tuesday 17 November, sports journalist Warwick Hadfield will speak about the painting, along with Allport Librarian Caitlin Sutton.

This is a free event, but bookings are required. Book through Eventbrite.

The acquisition was made possible by the privately funded Allport bequest. The Allport Collection at the State Library and Archives of Tasmania includes many important nineteenth-century Tasmanian paintings.