right|thumb|[[Harry Wright was a successful bowler for St George's Club before he moved to the Cincinnati Red Stockings]]
The St George's Cricket Club, also referred to as the St George Cricket Club, was the leading cricket club in the United States from the 1840s to the 1870s. Founded in 1839, with assistance from prominent members of the St George's Society of New York, it was originally located in Manhattan, New York, and later moved to Hoboken, New Jersey. Nicknamed the "Dragon Slayers", in 1844 the club hosted the first international cricket match, between teams representing Canada and the United States. It disbanded in 1898.
History
The St George's Cricket Club (SGCC) was founded in Manhattan, New York. As recalled in 1894 by one of the SGCC's early players, Robert Waller, the club's name was not adopted until St George's Day (April 23) 1840, although it had been formed the previous year. However, according to Henry Chadwick, its first match was played (as "New York" against "Long Island") on October 22–23, 1838. In July 1840, an advert was placed in the Spirit of the Times, stating that the SGCC was "open to play a friendly Match between any Club, or any eleven players in the United States, for a sum not less than $100, or over $500" (a "Match" was to consist of one game in New York, and another at any location between Philadelphia and Troy). On September 24–25, 1844, it hosted the first international cricket match, between Canada and the United States.
Most of its playing members were British-born and excluded Americans from participating in their "English game". to which Edwin Augustus Stevens granted land for a ground in Hoboken. The local resentment of this English social exclusivity amongst New York ball players may have been the impetus for cricket to be designated as an "English" game in the US, though it had been played for over a century at the time.
The SGCC club traveled to Canada on several occasions in the 1850s, encouraging a touring tradition for American sports which culminated in George Parr's All-England XI visiting New York, Philadelphia, and Montreal in 1859. This was the first occasion that a professional team of players in any sport had played in the United States. The All England Team of professionals played a US XXII team that included five SGCC players.
In 1866, it was reported that the SGCC had 200–300 members and was in a "flourishing condition", being able to field "three excellent elevens". It continued its dominant New York cricket organizational role until 1876, when the founding of the New York Metropolitan league and the Staten Island Cricket and Baseball Club at Walker Park ushered in a new era of league cricket in New York. Its first ground was located in Midtown Manhattan off of Bloomingdale Road (now Broadway) between 30th and 31st Street.