The Melbourne Cricket Club (MCC) was founded in 1838 and was an inaugural member club in the Victorian Cricket Association (VCA) District Cricket competition that commenced in 1906.
The MCC, however, initially did not accept the residential qualification rules and was not permitted to compete for the premiership until the 1914/15 season.
As the Port Phillip District’s pioneer club, the MCC’s early role was administrative and promotional as well as competitive.
The MCC was most prominent in developing the colony's cricket and played a major role in guiding the game’s destiny until the then Victorian Cricket Association (now Cricket Victoria) took over the reins in 1906.
The club sponsored four Australian teams to England and eight visits to Australia between 1886 and 1905.
The MCC has been synonymous with cricket success, measured in numerous premierships, club championships and state and national representatives.
In its long and prestigious history, the MCC has been home to many fine players who wore the baggy green cap: Fred ‘Demon’ Spofforth, Jack Blackham, Warwick Armstrong, Bert Ironmonger, Hugh Trumble, Vernon Ransford, Bill Ponsford, Keith Rigg, Colin McDonald, Lindsay Kline, Paul Sheahan, Max Walker, Dean Jones and Brad Hodge, to name but a few.
Andrew McDonald is the club's latest Test debutant, having made his debut against South Africa in January, 2009.
In all, there have been 40 players who have played Test cricket during their time at Melbourne. Blackham, Spofforth and Ponsford were three of the 10 inaugural inductees to the Australian Cricket Hall of Fame.
Among the many other fine cricketers to feature prominently at club level with the Demons include Percy Beames, Ian Huntington, Jeff Moss, Robert Templeton, Richard Herman, Peter King, Steven McCooke, Warren Ayres, David Broad, Michael Sholly, Bob Lloyd and fast bowling pair Jack ‘Dasher’ Daniel and Clive Fairbairn.
Fairbairn's involvement as an administrator after his playing days were over is legendary. Such was his impact, the club decided to recognise his achievements in 1991 by naming the Pavilion at its home ground - the Albert Ground - in his honour.