From 1878 until 1913 seventeen touring teams from England, Australia and Ireland visited the United States and played first-class cricket matches. Those teams were led by some legendary figures including England's Prince Ranjitsinhji, Plum Warner, Lord Hawke and Bernard Bosanquet and three Australian greats, Dave Gregory, Harry Trott and Syd Gregory.
Staten Island C. C. hosted most of those visiting teams; on the first occasion at Camp Washington and afterwards, at their new home, the Livingston ground. None of the games at either venue were granted first-class status but that did not in any way diminish the strength of the opposition.
These cricket games were generally enjoyable contests but, on occasion, contained moments of controversy and discord