Southland first played interprovincial cricket in 1864, and often played against touring teams from Australia, Fiji and England. The SouthlandCricket Association was formed in 1892, leading to an increase in representative matches, including the annual match against Otago, which began in 1893–94 and continued until the 1980s. In 1910–11 Southland were the first winners of the Hawke Cup. They retained it in 1911-12, but surrendered it in 1912-13 when they did not take part.
First-class matches
Southland had first-class status from 1914–15 to 1920–21. They played eight first-class matches, winning one, losing five and drawing two. In 1914–15 they played two matches against Otago, losing the first and drawing the second. In the first match, at Rugby Park, Invercargill, Otago made 166 and 85 for 3 declared, and Southland 71 and 62. In the second match, at Carisbrook, Dunedin, Southland made 226 and 152, Otago 212 and 50 for 3. In 1917–18 at Carisbrook, Otago won by an innings, making 313 and dismissing Southland for 149 and 108. The opening batsmanHorace Gleeson scored 55 and 21. In 1918–19 at Rugby Park, Otago made only 94 and 88, yet still comfortably defeated Southland, Henry Holderness and Arthur Alloo dismissing them for 41 and 55. Only six players on either side reached double figures. In 1919–20 they lost their first match against Otago at Carisbrook by an innings, scoring only 55 and 42 to Otago's 144. However, they won the return match at Rugby Park. Otago batted first, scoring 180, with Dan McBeath taking 7 for 66. Southland replied with 179. Then Doig and McBeath dismissed Otago for 50. Needing 52 to win, Southland lost wickets cheaply but McBeath, who had made 32 in the first innings, this time made 28 not out and took Southland to victory by four wickets. In 1920–21 they played Canterbury at Rugby Park. Canterbury made 189 and 37, beating Southland, who made 90 and 56, by 80 runs. Reg Read took 14 wickets for 59 for Canterbury. Three weeks later Southland played their final first-class match, against the touring Australians at Rugby Park. Southland made 122 and dismissed the Australians for 195 before rain washed out the rest of the match. Southland's innings totals of 71, 62, 226, 152, 149, 108, 41, 55, 55, 42, 179, 52 for 6, 90, 56 and 122 add up to 1559 runs for 146 wickets, an average of 10.67. Their opponents made 1803 for 116 wickets, an average of 15.54.
Leading first-class players
The opening bowlers Dan McBeath and Jack Doig were Southland's two outstanding players. In four matches McBeath took 35 wickets at an average of 8.45. In seven matches Doig took 38 wickets at 15.78. Arthur Poole was the leading run-scorer with 223 runs in six matches at an average of 20.27. Doig and Poole were among those in the team who played first-class cricket only for Southland. There were five captains.
Later history
Along with Hawke's Bay, Southland lost their first-class status after the 1920–21 season, leaving just four first-class teams in New Zealand: Auckland, Canterbury, Otago and Wellington. For first-class cricket purposes Southland merged with Otago. However, Southland continued to play non-first-class matches on their own. They played against some touring teams, and resumed their participation in the Hawke Cup in the 1929-30 season. Southland have won the Hawke Cup six times, most recently in March 2018. Their longest periods of success have been when they held the trophy from March 1973 to February 1977, and from February 1989 to February 1992. They play their home games at Queen's Park, Invercargill. The Southland Cricket Association, which organises cricket in the region at all levels, is based in Invercargill.
Leading Hawke Cup players
Several Southland players have represented New Zealand internationally as well as having successful careers for Southland in the Hawke Cup. The Test leg-spinner Jack Alabaster played 14 matches for Southland and took 92 wickets at an average of 13.29. His brother Gren Alabaster played 20 matches and took 102 wickets at an average of 14.78. Robert Anderson played 16 games and scored 1773 runs at an average of 70.29. When, to celebrate the centenary of the Hawke Cup, a team of the century was selected from all the participating teams, Gren Alabaster was named the captain, and the other Southland players chosen were Anderson and Richard Hoskin.
