This is a list of English cricketers who played first-class cricket between the 1772 and 1786 English cricket seasons . This spans the period between first matches to have been given retrospective first-class status in 1772 to the formation of the Marylebone Cricket Club in 1787. A total of 67 first-class matches were played during this period.
Cricket during this period became increasingly similar to the modern game, although bowling remained underarm until the 19th century. The first Laws of Cricket had been established in 1744 and in 1774 a revision of the Laws added Leg before wicket as a mode of dismissal. [1] The third stump was added after 1775. [2]
Cricket scorecards became increasingly complete from 1772 onwards and the players included are those known to have played in matches which were given retrospective first-class status between 1772 and 1786 inclusive.
Name | Seasons [upper-alpha 1] | Comments | Ref [upper-alpha 2] |
---|---|---|---|
Edward Aburrow | 1772–1782 | Played in 44 first-class matches for Hampshire sides. | |
Stephen Amherst | 1783–1795 | 31 appearances, mainly for Kent. An important patron of the game in Kent. | |
Henry Attfield | 1773–1788 | Played in 20 first-class matches, most frequently for Surrey sides. | [3] |
James Aylward | 1773–1797 | 107 appearances, mainly for Hampshire, Kent and England XIs. |
Name | Seasons | Comments | Ref |
---|---|---|---|
Baker | 1777 | Played one match for Hampshire. Other than his surname, no biographical information is known. | [4] [5] |
William Barber | 1772–1777 | Played in 15 first-class matches for Hampshire. | [6] |
William Bartholomew | 1773–1789 | Played in four first-class matches, two for Surrey, one for Chertsey and one for an England XI. | [7] |
James Bayley | 1773–1783 | Made four first-class appearances for Hampshire XIs. Other than his name, no biographical information is known. | [8] |
John Bayton | 1776–1777 | Played in two first-class matches, once for Kent in 1776 and once for an England XI in 1777. | [9] |
William Bedster | 1777–1794 | 59 first-class appearances for a variety of sides. | |
Charles Bennet, 4th Earl of Tankerville | 1773–1781 | A leading patron of Surrey cricket. Played in 25 first-class matches. | [10] |
Berwick | 1779–1780 | Played in six first-class matches. Other than his surname, no biographical information is known. | [11] [12] |
Blake | 1773 | Played in one match for Surrey against Kent. Other than his surname, no biographical information is known. | [13] |
Boltwood | 1778 | Recorded in one match for an England XI against Chertsey. Other than his surname, no biographical information is known. | [14] |
Henry Bonham | 1778 | Played a single first-class match for Hampshire. | [15] |
Francis Booker | 1773–1790 | 45 first-class appearances, mainly for England XIs and Kent sides. | |
John Boorman | 1772–1793 | Played in 55 first-class matches, mainly for Kent sides. Recorded by CricketArchive as James Boorman. | [16] |
George T. Boult | 1786–1795 | Made 20 first-class appearances. | [17] |
William Bowra | 1775–1792 | Made 50 first-class appearances, mainly for Kent and England XIs | |
William Brazier | 1774–1794 | 50 first-class matches, mainly for Kent sides. | [18] |
Thomas Brett | 1772–1778 | Made 32 first-class appearances for Hampshire. | [19] |
William Bullen | 1773–1797 | Played 113 first-class matches, mainly for Kent and England XIs. | [20] |
John de Burgh, 13th Earl of Clanricarde | 1773 | Played in a single first-class match for Surrey. | [21] |
Name | Seasons | Comments | Ref |
---|---|---|---|
Childs | 1772–1774 | Played in eight first-class matches, four for Surrey and four for England XIs. Other than his surname, no biographical information is known. | [22] |
Robert Clifford | 1777–1792 | 71 first-class matches, mainly for Kent sides. | |
Samuel Colchin | 1773–1778 | Made 10 first-class appearances, five for England XIs, four for Kent and one for Hampshire. Nephew of Robert Colchin. | [23] |
Collier | 1786 | One match for Kent Other than his surname, no biographical information is known. | [24] |
Couchman | 1783–1786 | Two first-class appearances, one for West Kent in 1783 and one for Kent in 1786. Other than his surname, no biographical information is known. | [25] |
J. Cole | 1784–1788 | Two first-class matches, one for Hampshire in 1784 and one for and England XI in 1788. Other than a surname and initial, no biographical information is known. | [26] |
Henry Crosoer | 1786–1790 | Eight first-class matches, mainly for Kent sides. |
Name | Seasons | Comments | Ref |
---|---|---|---|
John Dampier | 1786–1787 | Three first-class matches for the White Conduit Club. | |
Davidson | 1784–1787 | Three first-class appearances, one for each of England, Hornchurch and Essex. Other than a surname, no biographical details are known. | [27] |
John Brewer Davis | 1773 | Played twice for Kent before being knighted in September 1773. | [28] |
T. Davis | 1773–1776 | Played six first-class matches for Hampshire as well as one other match for Hambledown Town. Other than his surname and initial, no biographical information is known. | [29] |
Name | Seasons | Comments | Ref |
---|---|---|---|
Gilbert East | 1786–1794 | Made 12 appearances in first-class matches. | |
John Edmeads | 1772–1779 | Played 17 first-class matches, most frequently for Surrey sides. Brother of William Edmeads. | [30] |
William Edmeads | 1775 | Played one first-class match for Surrey. Brother of John Edmeads. | [31] |
Name | Seasons | Comments | Ref |
---|---|---|---|
William Fennex | 1786–1816 | Made 88 first-class appearances for a variety of teams, including playing 41 times for England XIs and 13 times for Middlesex. | |
Finch | 1786 | One first-class match for Kent. Other than his surname, no biographical information is known. | [32] |
George Finch, 9th Earl of Winchilsea | 1786–1804 | Played in 128 first-class matches. A founder member of MCC and guarantor for Thomas Lord during the establishment of Lord's. | [33] |
Jasper Fish | 1773 | Played a single first-class match for a Kent XI at Sevenoaks Vine. Is known to have played in two other matches between 1769 and 1777, and was buried at Sevenoaks in 1791. | [34] |
John Frame | 1772–1774 | Played seven first-class matches for Kent, Hampshire and England sides. | [35] |
Francis | 1775 | A single first-class match for Hampshire. Other than his surname, no biographical information is known. | [36] |
Richard Francis | 1773–1793 | Played 47 first-class matches. | [37] |
John Freemantle | 1780–1782 | Played in seven first-class matches for Hampshire. Elder brother of Andrew Freemantle. | [38] [39] |
James Fuggles | 1772–1773 | Appeared in four first-class matches, three for England XIs in 1772 and one for Kent in 1773. Other than his name, no biographical information is known. | [40] |
Name | Seasons | Comments | Ref |
---|---|---|---|
Gibson | 1780 | Played twice for Sir Horatio Mann's XI. Other than his surname, no biographical information is known. | [41] |
Gill | 1772 | Played in one first-class match for an England side in 1772 and is known to have played for Buckinghamshire in two matches in 1759. [42] | [43] |
Name | Seasons | Comments | Ref |
---|---|---|---|
W. Hall | 1782 | One match for Hampshire. Other than his surname and initial, no biographical information is known. | [44] |
David Harris | 1782–1798 | A total of 78 first-class appearances, most frequently for Hampshire and England sides. | |
Isaac Hatch | 1786 | A single first-class match for Kent. | [45] |
Hawkins | 1786–1787 | Four first-class appearances, including two for Hampshire, one for White Conduit Club and one for the Earl of Winchilsea's XI. Other than a surname, no biographical information is known. | [46] |
Hodges | 1781 | A single first-class appearance for Sir Horatio Mann's XI. Other than his surname, no biographical information is known. | [47] |
Hogben | 1781–1782 | Six appearances in 1781 and 1782 for Kent sides. Other than his surname, no biographical information is known. | [48] |
William Hogsflesh | 1772–1775 | 11 first-class matches for Hampshire. | |
Holness | 1781 | A single first-class match for East Kent. Other than his surname, no biographical information is known. | [49] |
Richard Hosmer | 1780–1791 | Made 18 first-class appearances, mainly for Kent sides. | [50] |
Edward Hussey | 1773–1797 | 18 first-class appearances, mainly for Kent and MCC sides. | [51] |
Name | Seasons | Comments | Ref |
---|---|---|---|
Irons | 1778 | Recorded in one match for an England XI against Chertsey. Other than his surname, no biographical information is known. | [52] |
Name | Seasons | Comments | Ref |
---|---|---|---|
Lamborn | 1777–1781 | Played in 22 first-class matches. Was featured in The Cricketers of My Time . | [53] |
George Leer | 1772–1782 | Made 44 first-class appearances for Hampshire sides. | [54] |
Charles Lennox, 4th Duke of Richmond | 1786–1802 | A founder member of MCC, Lennox played in 46 first-class matches, most frequently for MCC, England sides and his own side. He was a guarantor for Thomas Lord when he established the first Lord's ground in 1787. | [55] |
M. Lewis | 1773 | Played twice for Surrey. Other than his surname and initial, no biographical information is known. | [56] |
George Louch | 1773–1797 | Played in 122 first-class matches for a wide variety of sides, with 39 matches played for MCC. |
Name | Seasons | Comments | Ref |
---|---|---|---|
Sir Horatio Mann, 2nd Baronet | 1773 | Played in two first-class matches for Kent sides. More significant as a major patron of cricket in Kent. | [57] |
Noah Mann | 1777–1789 | Made 56 first-class appearances, 39 of which were for Hampshire. Father of Noah Mann junior. | |
Mansfield | 1778 | Recorded in one match for an England XI against Chertsey. Other than his surname, no biographical information is known. | [58] |
T. Martin | 1781–1783 | Two first-class matches, one for Sir Horatio Mann's XI and one for East Kent. Other than his surname and initial, no biographical information is known. | [59] |
Richard May | 1772–1780 | Made 13 first-class appearances mainly for Kent sides. Brother of Thomas May. | |
Thomas May | 1772–1773 | Played in five first-class matches for England XIs and for Kent. Brother of Richard May. | |
Joseph Miller [upper-alpha 3] | 1772–1783 | Played in 54 first-class matches, most frequently for England and Kent sides. Brother of Richard Miller. | [60] |
Richard Miller [upper-alpha 3] | 1774 | Played in one first-class match for Surrey. Brother of Joseph Miller. | [61] |
Mills | 1778–1781 | Played in nine first-class matches. Other than his surname, no biographical information is known. | [62] |
John Minshull | 1772–1780 | Also known as John Minchin, he played 28 first-class matches. | [63] |
George Monson | 1786–1792 | A total of 10 first-class appearances. | |
Muggeridge | 1774–1778 | Played in four first-class matches for Surrey sides and twice in club matches for Coulsdon Cricket Club, once in 1775 and once in 1784. Other than his surname, no biographical information is known. | [64] |
Name | Seasons | Comments | Ref |
---|---|---|---|
Richard Newman | 1773–1793 | Made 19 first-class appearances, mainly for Kent, Essex-based sides and MCC. | [65] |
Richard Nyren | 1772–1786 | Played in 49 first-class matches for Hampshire. Wrote The Cricketers of My Time . | [66] |
Name | Seasons | Comments | Ref |
---|---|---|---|
Page | 1772–1773 | Played once for an England XI in 1772 and once for Surrey in 1773 in first-class matches and is known to have played one other match for Surrey in 1768. Other than his surname, no biographical information is known. | [67] |
William Palmer | 1772–1776 | Played in 17 first-class matches, mainly for Surrey and England XIs. | |
Thomas Pattenden | 1772–1783 | Played 30 first-class matches, primarily for Kent-based sides. Brother of William Pattenden. | [68] |
William Pattenden | 1780–1786 | Played five times, all for Kent-based sides. Younger brother of Thomas Pattenden. | [69] |
Pemmell | 1777–1781 | Played in three first-class matches, two for England XIs and one for Kent, as well as two other matches for Kent against Maidstone in 1777. Other than his surname, which is also recorded by as Pemell and Pennell, no biographical information is known. | [70] [71] |
Constantine Phillips | 1773–1778 | Played in three first-class matches, two for England XIs and one for Surrey. | |
Polden | 1778 | Recorded in one match for an England XI against Chertsey. Other than his surname, no biographical information is known. | [72] |
Richard Purchase | 1773–1803 | Made 113 first-class appearances. | [73] |
Name | Seasons | Comments | Ref |
---|---|---|---|
Thomas Quiddington | 1774–1776 | Played in four matches for Surrey. |
Name | Seasons | Comments | Ref |
---|---|---|---|
Read | 1773 | Played once for an England XI against Hampshire. Other than his surname, no biographical information is known. | [74] |
Benjamin Remington | 1779–1783 | Played in 13 first-class matches. Brother of Michael and Thomas Remington | [75] |
Michael Remington | 1781–1791 | Made seven first-class appearances. Brother of Benjamin and Thomas Remington. | [76] |
Thomas Remington | 1780–1781 | Four first-class appearances. Brother of Benjamin and Michael Remington. | [77] |
Thomas Ridge | 1772–1775 | Made five first-class appearances for Hampshire sides. | |
Joey Ring | 1782–1796 | 89 first-class matches, most frequently for Kent and England XIs. Brother of George Ring. | [78] |
Name | Seasons | Comments | Ref |
---|---|---|---|
John Sackville, 3rd Duke of Dorset | 1773–1783 | Made 23 appearances in first-class matches and was an important patron of the game. | [79] |
Richard Simmons | 1772–1779 | Played in 13 first-class matches. | |
T. Skinner | 1781 | A single first-class match for Hampshire. Other than his surname and initial, no biographical information is known. | [80] |
Jack Small | 1784–1810 | Played 144 matches, mainly for England and Hampshire sides. Son of John Small. | |
John Small | 1772–1798 | Played 111 matches. Father of Jack Small. | |
Richard Stanford | 1780–1787 | Played in eight first-class matches for Kent sides. | |
Lumpy Stevens | 1772–1789 | Played in a total of 83 first-class matches. | |
Peter Stewart | 1772–1779 | Played in 16 first-class matches for Hampshire sides. | [81] |
Robert Stone | 1773–1790 | Played in 10 first-class matches. | |
Tom Sueter | 1772–1790 | Played 67 first-class matches, 54 of them for Hampshire. | |
Thomas Swayne | 1778 | Played in one first-class as well as club matches for Chertsey. | [82] |
Name | Seasons | Comments | Ref |
---|---|---|---|
Thomas Taylor | 1775–1798 | Played in 102 first-class matches, most frequently for Hampshire. | [83] |
Townsend | 1783–1786 | Played in five first-class matches, twice for England XIs and three times for Kent sides as well as in two other matches for Kent in 1777. Other than his surname, no biographical information is known. | [84] |
Name | Seasons | Comments | Ref |
---|---|---|---|
Richard Aubrey Veck | 1776–1784 | Played in 36 first-class matches, mainly for Hampshire sides. | [85] |
Name | Seasons | Comments | Ref |
---|---|---|---|
Harry Walker | 1786–1802 | 101 first-class appearances, most frequently for Surrey. Brother of John and Tom Walker. | |
Tom Walker | 1786–1810 | Made 177 first-class appearances, most frequently for Surrey. Brother of Harry and John Walker. | |
Waller | 1774 | Played twice for Kent in first-class matches during 1774 and is known to have played in two club matches for Maidstone against Kent in 1777. Other than his surname, no biographical information is known. | [86] |
Webb | 1781 | Five first-class matches for Kent sides. Other than his surname, no biographical information is known. | [87] |
James Wells | 1783–1800 | Played in 21 first-class matches, including 10 for Surrey and 7 for Hampshire. Brother of John Wells. | |
John Wheeler | 1773 | A single first-class appearance for Kent. Played in one other match for a London side in 1775. Other than his name, no biographical information is known. | [88] |
Thomas White | 1772–1789 | A total of 33 appearances for England, Kent and Surrey teams. Involved in the Monster Bat Incident 1771. | |
John Wood | 1772–1780 | Played in 23 first-class matches, mainly for Surrey. | |
John Wood | 1773–1783 | Played in 12 first-class matches for Kent and England sides. | [89] |
Name | Seasons | Comments | Ref |
---|---|---|---|
William Yalden | 1772–1783 | Wicket-keeper who played 44 first-class matches, mainly for Surrey and England XIs |
John Small was an English professional cricketer who played during the 18th century and had one of the longest careers on record. Born at Empshott, Hampshire, he is generally regarded as the greatest batsman of the 18th century and acknowledged as having been the first to master the use of the modern straight bat which was introduced in the 1760s. He probably scored the earliest known century in important cricket. The strength of the Hambledon/Hampshire team during Small's prime years can be seen in the team being rated the (unofficial) Champion County in 10 seasons: 1766–1771, 1776–1777, 1779 and 1783. He died at Petersfield, where he was in residence for most of his life and where he established businesses.
William "Silver Billy" Beldham was an English professional cricketer who played for numerous teams between 1782 and 1821. He was born at Wrecclesham, near Farnham in Surrey, and died at Tilford, Surrey. In some sources, his name has been given as "Beldam" or "Beldum". A right-handed batting all-rounder, he is widely recognised as one of the greatest batsmen of cricket's underarm era. Using an underarm action, he bowled pitched deliveries at a fast medium pace. He generally fielded in close catching positions, mostly at slip and sometimes played as wicket-keeper.
Richard Nyren (1734–1797) was an English professional cricketer who played first-class cricket during the heyday of the Hambledon Club. A genuine all-rounder and the earliest known left-hander of note, Nyren was the captain of Hampshire when its team included players like John Small, Thomas Brett and Tom Sueter. Although the records of many matches in which he almost certainly played have been lost, he made 51 known appearances between 1764 and 1784. He was known as the team's "general" on the field and, for a time, acted as the club secretary as well as taking care of matchday catering for many years.
In the 1772 English cricket season, it became normal practice to complete match scorecards and there are surviving examples from every subsequent season. Scorecards from 1772 have been found for three eleven-a-side matches in which the Hampshire county team played against an England team, and for one top-class single wicket match between Kent and Hampshire. The three Hampshire v England matches have been unofficially recognised by certain sources as first-class, although no such standard existed at the time. Prior to 1772, only four scorecards have survived, the last from a minor match in 1769.
The White Conduit Club (WCC) was a cricket club based on the northern fringes of London that existed from about 1782 until 1788. Although short-lived, it had considerable significance in the history of the game, as its members created the first Lord's venue and reorganised themselves as the new Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC).
Joseph Miller was a noted English cricketer who is generally considered to have been one of the greatest batsmen of the 18th century. He is mostly associated with Kent but also made appearances for All-England and Surrey. First recorded in the 1769 season, Miller made 65 known appearances from then to 1783. He was unquestionably an outstanding batsman and perhaps second only to John Small in the 18th century.
William Yalden was an English cricketer who played towards the end of the 18th century and is considered to be one of the earliest known players who were classed as a wicket-keeper-batsman. Yalden played mainly for Chertsey and Surrey sides, although he was also a regular, sometimes as captain, in England teams, particularly in matches against Hampshire. His career began in the 1760s and he is known to have played until 1785.
Robert Clifford was an English cricketer who played in 71 first-class cricket matches between 1777 and 1792.
Edward "Curry" Aburrow Jr was an English cricketer who played for the Hampshire county teams organised by the Hambledon Club in the 18th century. He is known to have played in 45 eleven-a-side matches from 1772 to 1782, all for either Hambledon or Hampshire; 44 of these are now recognised as having first-class cricket status.
James Aylward was an English cricketer who played during the 18th-century.
In the 1773 English cricket season, there was a downturn in the fortunes of the Hambledon Club as their Hampshire team lost every match they are known to have played, and some of their defeats were heavy. Their poor results owed much to star bowler Thomas Brett having been injured. Three other county teams were active: Kent, Middlesex and Surrey. Teams called England took part in five matches, all against Hampshire, and won all five.
The 1774 English cricket season was the third in which matches have been awarded retrospective first-class cricket status. The scorecards of five first-class matches have survived.
The 1780 English cricket season was the ninth in which matches have been awarded retrospective first-class cricket status. The scorecards of four first-class matches have survived. The first six-seam cricket balls were used during the season.
The 1787 cricket season in England is noteworthy for the foundation of Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) after the opening of Thomas Lord's first ground in the parish of Marylebone, north of London. MCC soon became the sport's governing body with the new ground as its feature venue. The first match known to have been played at Lord's was on Monday, 21 May, between the White Conduit Club and a Middlesex county team. The first match known to involve a team representing MCC was against White Conduit on Monday, 30 July. Including these two, reports and/or match scorecards have survived of numerous eleven-a-side matches played in 1787. Eleven are retrospectively, but unofficially, recognised as first-class.
In the 1788 English cricket season, Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) published a revised code of the Laws of Cricket, thereby confirming itself as the body in sole charge of the Laws, and taking responsibility for the sport's governance. MCC was then called "The Cricket Club at St. Marylebone", contrasting with its predecessor, the White Conduit Club of Islington, which remained active in 1788. As in 1787, their two teams played against each other at Lord's. A total of fifteen match scorecards have survived and there are brief newspaper mentions of five other matches, including two played under single wicket rules.
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