1726 English cricket season
Encyclopedia
The 1726 English cricket season is the first in which a newspaper report names a participant in a cricket
match and it is from this time that a continuous history of English cricket is possible, although the details in most seasons through the 18th century remain sparse. Newspaper reports seemed to be widening in scope and the first players mentioned were Perry of London and Piper of Hampton who played a single-wicket match. The main story of the year, as in some earlier seasons, concerns cricket's relationship with the law, though once again the issue was non-payment of gambling debts.
match between players called Perry (of London
) and Piper (of Hampton, Middlesex). The venue was Moulsey Hurst
, near Molesey in Surrey. This is the earliest reference to cricket
being played at this venue. It was famous for various sporting activities, especially prizefighting, and was often used for cricket throughout the 18th century.
Cricket
Cricket is a bat-and-ball game played between two teams of 11 players on an oval-shaped field, at the centre of which is a rectangular 22-yard long pitch. One team bats, trying to score as many runs as possible while the other team bowls and fields, trying to dismiss the batsmen and thus limit the...
match and it is from this time that a continuous history of English cricket is possible, although the details in most seasons through the 18th century remain sparse. Newspaper reports seemed to be widening in scope and the first players mentioned were Perry of London and Piper of Hampton who played a single-wicket match. The main story of the year, as in some earlier seasons, concerns cricket's relationship with the law, though once again the issue was non-payment of gambling debts.
Matches
The London Evening Post dated 27 August carried an advertisement for a single wicketSingle Wicket
Single wicket cricket is a form of cricket played between two individuals, who take turns to bat and bowl against each other. The one bowling is assisted by a team of fielders, who remain as fielders at the change of innings. The winner is the one who scores more runs...
match between players called Perry (of London
London Cricket Club
The original London Cricket Club was formed by 1722 and was one of the foremost clubs in English cricket over the next four decades. It is closely associated with the Artillery Ground, where it played most of its home matches.-Early history of London cricket:...
) and Piper (of Hampton, Middlesex). The venue was Moulsey Hurst
Moulsey Hurst
Moulsey Hurst is located in what is now West Molesey, Surrey on the south bank of the River Thames above Molesey Lock. It is one of England's oldest sporting venues and was used in the 18th and 19th centuries for cricket, prizefighting and other sports....
, near Molesey in Surrey. This is the earliest reference to cricket
Cricket
Cricket is a bat-and-ball game played between two teams of 11 players on an oval-shaped field, at the centre of which is a rectangular 22-yard long pitch. One team bats, trying to score as many runs as possible while the other team bowls and fields, trying to dismiss the batsmen and thus limit the...
being played at this venue. It was famous for various sporting activities, especially prizefighting, and was often used for cricket throughout the 18th century.
| Date | Match Title | Venue | Result | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 29 August (M) | London London Cricket Club The original London Cricket Club was formed by 1722 and was one of the foremost clubs in English cricket over the next four decades. It is closely associated with the Artillery Ground, where it played most of its home matches.-Early history of London cricket:... & Surrey Surrey county cricket teams Surrey county cricket teams have been traced back to the 17th century but the county's involvement in cricket goes back much further than that. The first definite mention of cricket anywhere in the world is dated c.1550 in Guildford.-17th century:... v Mr Edward Stead Edward Stead Edward Stead was a famous patron of English cricket, particularly of Kent county cricket teams, in the early 18th century.-Cricket career:... ’s XI |
Kennington Common | result unknown | |
The match was "for 25 guineas between the men belonging to Edward Stead Edward Stead Edward Stead was a famous patron of English cricket, particularly of Kent county cricket teams, in the early 18th century.-Cricket career:... , Esq. of Maidstone and the men of London and Surrey". |
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| ? Sept (see 1724) | Chingford v Mr Edward Stead Edward Stead Edward Stead was a famous patron of English cricket, particularly of Kent county cricket teams, in the early 18th century.-Cricket career:... ’s XI |
Dartford Brent Dartford Brent Dartford Brent was an extensive area of common land on the outskirts of Dartford in Kent. In history, it was the scene of a confrontation between King Henry VI and Richard Plantagenet, 3rd Duke of York in 1452; and in 1555 thousands of spectators were to witness the burning to death at the stake of... |
result unknown | |
This was the conclusion of the 1724 match which was unfinished at that time and became the subject of a lawsuit. Lord Chief Justice Pratt ordered it "to be played out", but he died in 1725 before it was played out. It is not known if Dartford Brent Dartford Brent Dartford Brent was an extensive area of common land on the outskirts of Dartford in Kent. In history, it was the scene of a confrontation between King Henry VI and Richard Plantagenet, 3rd Duke of York in 1452; and in 1555 thousands of spectators were to witness the burning to death at the stake of... was the original venue but it seems certain the match was concluded there. |
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