Important matches list When the Association of Cricket Statisticians and Historians (ACS) published its Guide to First-Class Cricket Matches Played in the British Isles in 1982, it tentatively agreed with Webber's 1864 start date by saying that "the line between first-class and other matches becomes more easily discernible about that date". A year earlier, the ACS had published its Guide to Important Cricket Matches Played in the British Isles, 1709–1863 in which it listed all the known matches during that period which it considered to have historical importance. The ACS did stipulate that they had taken a more lenient view of importance regarding matches played in the 18th century than they did of matches played in the 19th century. As they explained, surviving details of 18th century matches are typically incomplete while there is a fairly comprehensive store of data about 19th century matches, certainly since 1825.
importaNt matchEs LIST wheN the assoCIatioN of crickEt staTisticianS and hisToRians (acs) published its gUide to first-clAss crIcket matcHes playeD in the BRItiSh iSles in 1982, it tENtatively AgReED witH webBer'S 1864 start Date by sAYInG ThAt "The LiNe between firSt-CLaSs and otHER MatcheS becoMES moRe eaSily diScerNIBLe aBOut that dAte". A yEAr EaRlier, the ACs had pubLisHed itS guiDe To imPorTanT cRicket MaTches Played in tHe bRITisH iSLES, 1709–1863 in WhicH iT listed alL thE kNOwn mATChes duriNg thAt PeRiOd whicH It coNsIDeReD TO have HiStoricAL impOrTance. the acs did sTIPUlate THat They Had Taken a MorE lEniEnt View Of iMpOrtAnce regaRDIng matcHes pLayed In the 18tH centUry thAn thEy did Of mATchEs plAYed In The 19TH CEnTurY. As theY exPLaIned, survivInG detaIls of 18Th CentUry MAtcHes are typiCallY incoMpLetE while tHEre is a faiRly comPrehensive stoRe oF daTa About 19TH centuRy maTcheS, cerTainly siNcE 1825.