1787 English cricket season - AbsoluteAstronomy.com

The 1787 English cricket season is widely seen as a watershed in the history of 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...

for it marked the sport's transition from an essentially rural game into an urban and metropolitan one.

The event that effected the transition was the opening of Thomas Lord

Thomas Lord

Thomas Lord was an English professional cricketer who played first-class cricket from 1787 to 1802. He made a brief comeback, playing in one further match in 1815. Overall, Lord made 90 known appearances in first-class cricket...

's first cricket ground at Marylebone

Marylebone

Marylebone is an affluent inner-city area of central London, located within the City of Westminster. It is sometimes written as St. Marylebone or Mary-le-bone....

in north London

London

London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...

. Lord was financed by the aristocratic members of the long-standing and multi-functional Noblemen's and Gentlemen's Club which was based at the Star and Garter on Pall Mall

Pall Mall, London

Pall Mall is a street in the City of Westminster, London, and parallel to The Mall, from St. James's Street across Waterloo Place to the Haymarket; while Pall Mall East continues into Trafalgar Square. The street is a major thoroughfare in the St James's area of London, and a section of the...

and had already founded the Jockey Club

Jockey Club

The Jockey Club is the largest commercial organisation in British horseracing. Although no longer responsible for the governance and regulation of the sport, it owns 14 of Britain's famous racecourses, including Aintree, Cheltenham and Newmarket, amongst other concerns such as the National Stud and...

to pursue its racing interests. Its most recent cricket venture had been the White Conduit Club

White Conduit Club

The White Conduit Club, although short-lived, was perhaps the most significant club in cricket history for it bridged the gulf between the rural and rustic Hambledon era and the new, modern and metropolitan era of MCC and Lord's, the two entities that it spawned.We do not know for certain when the...

in Islington

Islington

Islington is a neighbourhood in Greater London, England and forms the central district of the London Borough of Islington. It is a district of Inner London, spanning from Islington High Street to Highbury Fields, encompassing the area around the busy Upper Street...

.

Due to dissatisfaction with conditions in Islington, the members sought a more private venue and Lord, a professional bowler with the club who had a business acumen, was asked to do the necessaries. Upon moving from White Conduit Fields

White Conduit Fields

White Conduit Fields in Islington was an early venue of major cricket matches and the original home of the White Conduit Club, forerunner of MCC...

to Marylebone, the gentlemen's club reconstituted itself as Marylebone Cricket Club

Marylebone Cricket Club

Marylebone Cricket Club is a cricket club in London founded in 1787. Its influence and longevity now witness it as a private members' club dedicated to the development of cricket. It owns, and is based at, Lord's Cricket Ground in St John's Wood, London NW8. MCC was formerly the governing body of...

(MCC) and immediately took responsibility for the organisation, administration and development of the sport, including ownership of the game's Laws

Laws of cricket

The laws of cricket are a set of rules established by the Marylebone Cricket Club which describe the laws of cricket worldwide, to ensure uniformity and fairness. There are currently 42 laws, which outline all aspects of how the game is played from how a team wins a game, how a batsman is...

.

It is no overstatement to say that the opening of Lord’s

Lord's Cricket Ground

Lord's Cricket Ground is a cricket venue in St John's Wood, London. Named after its founder, Thomas Lord, it is owned by Marylebone Cricket Club and is the home of Middlesex County Cricket Club, the England and Wales Cricket Board , the European Cricket Council and, until August 2005, the...

and the foundation of (or reorganisation of the gentlemen's club as) MCC in 1787 ended what H T Waghorn

H T Waghorn

Henry Thomas Waghorn , was a cricket statistician and historian. He is best known for his two classic researches into cricket's early history: The Dawn of Cricket and Cricket Scores: 1730 - 1773....

called The Dawn of Cricket. The small but great rural clubs like Chertsey

Chertsey Cricket Club

Chertsey Cricket Club in Surrey is one of the oldest in England. Its own website dates its founding as 1737 but in fact matches involving a Chertsey team date from 1736....

, Dartford

Dartford Cricket Club

Dartford Cricket Club is one of the oldest in England and its origins go back to the early 18th century, perhaps earlier.See also: Dartford Brent...

, Addington

Addington Cricket Club

Addington is about three miles south-east of Croydon. It is only a small place but Addington Cricket Club fielded one of the strongest cricket teams in England from about the 1743 season to the 1752 season....

, Slindon

Slindon

Slindon is a small village and civil parish in the Arun District of West Sussex, England, nestling in woodlands on the southern edge of the South Downs. Slindon lies approximately seven miles north-east of Chichester...

and above all Hambledon

Hambledon Club

The Hambledon Club was a social club that is famous for its organisation of 18th century cricket matches. By the late 1770s it was the foremost cricket club in England.-Foundation:...

were forced to stand aside as progress swept the game beyond their horizons. As the historical sources quoted below all agree, it is doubtful if cricket without Lord's and MCC could ever have expanded into a national sport, let alone a world sport.

Matches

Date	Match Title	Venue	Source	Result
21 May (M)	White Conduit Club v Middlesex	Lord’s (Dorset Square)	FL18	result unknown
As Mr Buckley says, this was "apparently the first match to be played on Thomas Lord’s new ground". It was pre-announced in the Morning Herald on Sat 19 May but not reported afterwards. The historic announcement says: "A grand match will be played on Mon 21 May in the New Cricket Ground, the New Road, Mary-le-bone (sic), between eleven Noblemen of the White Conduit Club and eleven Gentlemen of the County of Middlesex with two men given, for 500 guineas a side. The wickets to be pitched at ten o’clock, and the match to be played out". We can only speculate about the quality of the teams but it is safe to assume it was a major match, probably comparable with the MCC v Middlesex games that soon followed. It is a fair bet that one of the two given men was Thomas Lord Thomas Lord Thomas Lord was an English professional cricketer who played first-class cricket from 1787 to 1802. He made a brief comeback, playing in one further match in 1815. Overall, Lord made 90 known appearances in first-class cricket... himself.
15–16 May (Tu-W)	Hornchurch v Moulsey Hurst ^	Langton Park, Hornchurch	SB69	MH won by 6 wkts
Taken from "Scores and Biographies" volume 1, page 69. Hornchurch and Moulsey Hurst could claim to be representative of Essex and Surrey as counties but these games were definitely between the two town clubs, each with enough known players to make them first-class. The Essex team that played Middlesex two weeks later was very similar to the Hornchurch XI. It was not mentioned where this match was played, but it is presumed at Hornchurch, as the return in July took place at Moulsey Hurst.
31 May (Th)	Middlesex v Essex	Lord's (Dorset Square)	SB70	Middlesex won by 93 runs
Taken from "Scores and Biographies" volume 1, page 70. This is the first recorded match played on the original Lord's Ground, which was on the site of Dorset Square. It also marks the first recorded appearance by the founder of Lord's. Thomas Lord was a change bowler at White Conduit Club and it was on their behalf that he acquired the Dorset Square site. The result was a remarkable turnaround of the first innings situation: Middlesex 58 and 203; Essex 130 and 38. Butcher, whose first name is unknown, was a regular Surrey bowler operating in this game as a given man. His haul of ten wickets is impressive in an age when only clean bowled dismissals were credited to the bowler. The S&B scorecard included "P O Clark" in each Middlesex innings (Z Boult and Bedster). This surely means "put out" and indicates a stumping. There is another match some years earlier in which the scorer wrote "put out behind the Yold", meaning stumped by William Yalden William Yalden William "The Yold" Yalden was a noted English cricketer. He was a very good batsman but was primarily known as a wicket-keeper.... who was nicknamed "the Yold".
5–6 June (Tu-W)	White Conduit Club v Middlesex	Lord’s (Dorset Square)	WDC	WCC won by 10 wkts
The detailed scorecard has not survived but the WCC team was Sir Peter Burrell, Mr John Peachey, Mr Dampier, Captain Charles Cumberland Charles Cumberland Captain Charles Cumberland was an English cricketer of the late 18th century. He was an outstanding bowler, his style being right arm fast underarm; and he was arguably the best amateur bowler of the underarm era... , Mr Gilbert East Gilbert East Gilbert East was an English cricketer of the late 18th century who played mainly for Berkshire and the White Conduit Club... , Mr Thomas Assheton Smith I, Mr George Talbot George Talbot (cricketer) George Talbot was an English cricketer. He was an early MCC member who had previously been elected a Hambledon Club member in 1788. He played in 23 recorded matches from 1785 to 1791 and was a useful batsman.... , Mr Richard Newman Richard Newman (cricketer) Richard Newman was an English cricketer who played for Essex, Kent and All-England from the 1773 season to 1793. He was a leading amateur player and an early member of MCC.Surprisingly little is known of Newman personally... , Mr R B Wyatt, Mr Edward Hussey Edward Hussey Edward Hussey was an English cricketer who played for Kent.He was educated at Westminster and lived at Ashford in Kent. He had a long but infrequent career as a useful batsman and seems to have been a stalwart of Kent cricket, sometimes perhaps as a patron... and Mr C Drummond. White Conduit batting last needed 38 to win and apparently scored 39-0.
14–15 June (Th-F)	White Conduit v Middlesex	Lord's (Dorset Square)	FL18	Middlesex won by 8 wkts
The source FL18 records: "On the first day each side played an innings and the Club had scored 21 for 3, Sir P Burrell being not out 7, when want of light stopped play at 8-30 pm. Boorman's bowling won the game. Mr Cumberland, second to none as a bowler and second to few as a fieldsman, was unable to play for the Club owing to an injured ankle."
20–22 June (W-F)	White Conduit v All-England	Lord's (Dorset Square)	SB71	All-England won by 239 runs
All-England 247 (Aylward 94, Bullen 44; Harris 4w) and 197 (Beldham 63, Jack Small 42); WCC 112 and 93. S&B states: "In another account, James Aylward James Aylward James Aylward was a noted English cricketer who played for the Hambledon Club. He was a left-handed batsman.... is stated to have been "P O" by Taylor. As before, this is presumed to mean stumped (put out). Thomas Taylor Thomas Taylor (cricketer) Thomas Taylor was a famous English cricketer who played for the Hambledon Club. He is generally regarded as one of the most outstanding players of the 18th century.... must have been an extremely versatile player if he could keep wicket in addition to his other skills".
2 July (W)	West Sussex v East Sussex	Amberley Hill	FLPV	West Sussex won by 101 runs
This was a minor match of amateur gentlemen residing between Chichester and Arundel (West Sussex) and between Arundel and Shoreham (East Sussex).
3–4 July (Th-F)	Moulsey Hurst v Hornchurch ^	Moulsey Hurst	SB73	MH won by 131 runs
^ Hornchurch and Moulsey Hurst could claim to be representative of Essex and Surrey as counties but these games were definitely between the two town clubs, each with enough recognised players to make them major. The Essex team that played Middlesex was very similar to the Hornchurch XI in the other games. George Talbot George Talbot (cricketer) George Talbot was an English cricketer. He was an early MCC member who had previously been elected a Hambledon Club member in 1788. He played in 23 recorded matches from 1785 to 1791 and was a useful batsman.... , in his first innings, was stated to be "P H O", a term not explained. It may be a variation on "put out", which was a stumping; or "put himself out", which might mean "hit wicket".
5–6 July (Th-F)	Essex v Middlesex	Langton Park, Hornchurch	FL18	Middlesex won by 9 wkts
The Chelmsford Chronicle on Fri 13 July reported the team totals only. Essex (Hornchurch in the report) scored 65 and 108; Middlesex replied with 124 and 50-1. We do not know any of the players’ names but we can assume the usuals were taking part and that it is a major match.
16 July (M)	Earl of Winchilsea v Assheton Smith	Perriam Down, Wiltshire	SB74	Earl of Winchilsea's XI won by 79 runs
Perriam Down was near Ludgershall, Wiltshire.
16 July (M)	Essex v Kent	Swanscombe	WDC	Essex won by innings & 44 runs
No scorecard has survived but the report said that the result "so exasperated the gentlemen of Kent that they would not so much as drink with their competitors"! None of the players' names has been recorded.
30 July (M)	MCC v White Conduit Club	Lord's (Dorset Square)	FL18	result unknown
A notice in The World on Fri 27 July states: "On Mon 30 July will be played (at Lord’s) a match between 11 gentlemen of the Mary-le-bone Club and 11 gentlemen of the Islington Club". This is the first known match in which mention is made of "the Mary-le-bone Club". Unfortunately, no other details have been found but it was probably a similar contest to the one in June 1788 between the MCC and the WCC. It has immense historical importance but the poor quality of the WCC team in the 1788 match must suggest it has marginal status only.
2-3 Aug (Th-F)	Essex v White Conduit Club	Hornchurch	WDC	WCC won by "over 100 runs"
In this game, White Conduit combined with Moulsey Hurst Club in order to take on Hornchurch. The exact result is uncertain but it was by over 100 runs: WCC scored 89 and at least 162; Hornchurch 100 and not above 50. The only player mentioned in WDC is Winchilsea who scored between 20 and 30 but whether in one innings or in the whole match we do not know. The stake was 500 guineas. The teams are in FL18 but no scorecard information. The WCC/MHC team was Earl of Winchilsea, Sir Peter Burrell, Mr G East, Mr George Talbot, Mr C Drummond, Mr G Boult, Mr Slater, Mr George Louch George Louch George Louch was an English cricketer and match organiser during the 18th century. He was especially noted for his fielding and was an early stalwart of Marylebone Cricket Club.He was a native of Chatham and was evidently educated at Westminster... , William Bedster William Bedster William Bedster was an English cricketer of the late 18th century. He was a good batsman and a useful bowler.... , Edward "Lumpy" Stevens and Davy (Surrey); Lumpy and Davy were professional bowlers. All of these players are recognised. The Essex team was taken from a "squad" of 12 whose names were pre-announced: Mr R Newman, Mr R B Wyatt, Mr J Russell, Mr R Denn, Rev. Dupuis, Mr T Clark, Davidson, Graham, Harvey, Martin, ? Rimmington, Mr Wickham. The first 11 names in the Essex squad are all recognised players but the name of Mr Wickham, who with Martin is given as a bowler, does not appear elsewhere: except in Pride and Prejudice, of course! WDC has two reports of the game, one apparently written on Thursday evening and the other after the match, but no scorecard. The reports in WDC state: "On Aug. 2, the grand match of cricket, for 500 guineas, between the White Conduit and Moulsey-Hurst clubs and Hornchurch club, began playing at Hornchurch, the 1st innings were as follows: White Conduit and Moulsey-Hurst, 86 notches, and 3 byes, total 89; Hornchurch 92 notches, 8 byes: total 100. Bets were 2 to 1 on White Conduit and Moulsey-Hurst at the beginning, but very much altered in the evening in favour of the Hornchurch club". "The above match was won hollow by the White Conduit and Moulsey-Hurst clubs. The White Conduit club, that is Lord Winchilsea and Co., went in first and got 89. The Hornchurch then got 100. On the 2nd innings, the Hornchurch did not get above 50, and the other side won by above 100 notches. Of these Lord Winchilsea got between 20 and 30. The other members of the club played in fine style". It is assumed that, as in other games, the Hornchurch Club was representative of Essex as a county and this was a major match.
6-7 Aug (M-Tu)	Leicester v Coventry	Hinckley	FL18	Leics won by 45 runs
Extensively described in FL18, p. 117-120. See also 22 Sept 1788. These are historically interesting not just because of the fascinating match reports but also because the clubs must have contained seeds of Leicestershire CCC and Warwickshire CCC.
7-10 Aug (Tu-F)	Kent v Hampshire	Coxheath	SB76	Hampshire won by 2 wkts
Joey Ring Joey Ring John "Little Joey" Ring was an English cricketer who played for Kent.Joey Ring was one of Kent’s best batsmen in the late 18th century and was employed by Sir Horatio Mann at Bourne as a huntsman... in his second innings is stated to have been "put out" by Richard Purchase Richard Purchase Richard Purchase was a famous English cricketer who played for the Hambledon Club.He was only 16 when he made his debut in 1773.Born in Liss, Hampshire, he played for his county in 1773 and 1774 but then did not appear again until 1781... : i.e., stumped. In another account the winning side is called "England"; but all playing are mentioned in John Nyren John Nyren John Nyren was an English cricketer and author. Nyren made 16 known appearances in first-class cricket from 1787 to 1817... 's book as being members of the Hambledon Club Hambledon Club The Hambledon Club was a social club that is famous for its organisation of 18th century cricket matches. By the late 1770s it was the foremost cricket club in England.-Foundation:... and so this team is properly a Hampshire XI.
14-16 Aug (Tu-Th)	Kent v Hampshire	Bishopsbourne Paddock	SB76	Hampshire won by 266 runs
Hampshire 193 (T Walker 65, John Small 40; Clifford 5w) and 174 (Beldham 42); Kent 60 (Harris 4w) and 41 (Harris 3w)
28-31 Aug (Tu-F)	Sir H Mann v Earl of Winchilsea	Bishopsbourne Paddock	SB77	Earl of Winchilsea's XI won by 29 runs
William Fennex William Fennex William Fennex was a famous English cricketer. He was a noted all-rounder and right arm fast bowler... caught 6 in the match including 5 in the second innings alone. He also took four wickets.
3-5 Sept (M-W)	Hampshire v Kent	Windmill Down	SB78	Kent won by 65 runs
There were seven run outs of Hampshire batsmen
10-12 Sept (M-W)	Sir H Mann v Earl of Winchilsea	Lord's (Dorset Square)	SB78	Mann's XI won by 94 runs
Mann 116 and 123; Winchilsea 84 (Lumpy 3w) and 61 (Lumpy 3w)
17-18 Sept (M-Tu)	Melton Mowbray v Leicester	Melton Mowbray	FLPV	MM won by innings & 16 runs
The scorecard has no bowling or fielding details. It is another interesting early Leicester match.

Other events

FL18 begins its 1787 notices with the following extract from the Morning Herald dated Wed 25 April:

The Members of the Cricket Club are desired to meet at the Star and Garter, Pall Mall, on Mon., April 30. Dinner on table exactly at half past five o’clock. N.B. The favour of an answer is desired.

There can be little doubt that plans for matches to be played at a new ground in Marylebone were on the agenda.

The first mention of the follow on occurs in 1787. At that time it was the custom for a side behind on 1st innings to follow-on no matter what the deficit.

H S Altham

Harry Altham

Harry Surtees Altham, CBE, DSO, MC was an English cricketer who became an important figure in the game as an administrator, historian and coach. His Wisden obituary described him as "among the best known personalities in the world of cricket"...

's Dates in Cricket History records the first mention of a County Club in Oxfordshire. This is supported by an engraving held in the Bodleian Library

Bodleian Library

The Bodleian Library , the main research library of the University of Oxford, is one of the oldest libraries in Europe, and in Britain is second in size only to the British Library...

First mentions

The general shift of the sport's focus from the rural counties to north London led to an unusually high number of new players, though many of them might have been active previously without being recorded. Among them were some famous names such as John Wells

John Wells (cricketer)

John Wells was a famous English cricketer who played for Surrey.-Career:...

of Surrey and Thomas Lord

Thomas Lord

of Middlesex.

John Wells
John Wells (cricketer)
John Wells was a famous English cricketer who played for Surrey.-Career:...
Thomas Lord
Thomas Lord
Thomas Lord was an English professional cricketer who played first-class cricket from 1787 to 1802. He made a brief comeback, playing in one further match in 1815. Overall, Lord made 90 known appearances in first-class cricket...
Graham
Graham (Middlesex cricketer)
Graham refers to an English cricketer of the late 18th century who was one of the most outstanding professional bowlers of the period...
Thomas Assheton Smith I
John Pilcher
John Pilcher
John Pilcher was an English cricketer who played for Kent.He is believed to have been a right-handed player and was primarily a bowler of the underarm type but his pace has not been recorded...
Thomas Ingram
Thomas Ingram
Thomas Ingram was an English cricketer of the late 18th century. He was a left-handed batsman and a wicketkeeper.According to Scores and Biographies, Ingram was for a time a victualler at Cobham in Surrey...
Butcher
Butcher (Surrey cricketer)
Butcher refers to an English cricketer who was one of the most outstanding professional bowlers of the late 18th century. No personal details have been traced and knowledge of him is limited to what is in match reports and scorecards....
John Lister Kaye
John Lister Kaye (MCC cricketer)
John Lister Kaye was a noted amateur cricketer in the late 18th century. His career spanned the 1787 to 1798 seasons and he played mainly for Marylebone Cricket Club and Surrey. He made 12 known appearances in major cricket matches....
W White
W White (Middlesex cricketer)
W White refers to a professional cricketer who played for Middlesex in the late 18th century.There is considerable confusion about players called White at this time as Middlesex also had Jacob White, perhaps W White's brother, and a player called Knowles who played under the pseudonym of "White"! ...
Allen (Essex cricketer)
Allen (Essex cricketer)
Allen was an English professional cricketer who made 4 known appearances in major cricket matches from 1787 to 1793.-Career:He was mainly associated with Essex and also played for Middlesex .-External sources:*...

(Middx/Essex) – played four matches from 1787 to 1793
Davy (Surrey cricketer)
Davy (Surrey cricketer)
Davy was an English professional cricketer who made 5 known appearances in major cricket matches from 1787 to 1788.-External sources:*...

(Surrey) – played four matches from 1787 to 1788
Dupuis (Essex cricketer)
Dupuis (Essex cricketer)
Dupuis was an English amateur cricketer who made 4 known appearances in major cricket matches from 1787 to 1792.-External sources:*...

(Essex; amateur) – played four matches from 1787 to 1792
Murray (Essex cricketer)
Murray (Essex cricketer)
Murray was an English professional cricketer who made 3 known appearances in major cricket matches from 1787 to 1789.-External sources:*...

(Essex) – played three matches from 1787 to 1789
Clements (Essex cricketer)
Clements (Essex cricketer)
Clements was an English professional cricketer who made 5 known appearances in major cricket matches from 1787 to 1790.-External sources:*...

(Essex) – played 5 matches from 1787 to 1790
Dean (Middlesex cricketer)
Dean (Middlesex cricketer)
Dean was an English amateur cricketer who made 7 known appearances in major cricket matches from 1787 to 1790.-Career:He was mainly associated with Middlesex and was a member of the Brentford and Richmond Cricket Club .-External sources:*...

(amateur) – played 7 matches from 1787 to 1791
Thomas Clark (cricketer)
Thomas Clark (cricketer)
Thomas Clark was an English amateur cricketer who made 9 known appearances in major cricket matches from 1787 to 1791.-External sources:*...

(Essex; amateur) – played 9 matches from 1787 to 1791
Robert Denn
Robert Denn
Robert Denn was an English amateur cricketer who made 11 known appearances in major cricket matches from 1787 to 1793.-External sources:*...

(Essex; amateur) – played 11 matches from 1787 to 1793
C Drummond (Surrey cricketer)
C Drummond (Surrey cricketer)
C Drummond was an English amateur cricketer who made 7 known appearances in major cricket matches from 1787 to 1795.-Career:Drummond was mainly associated with Marylebone Cricket Club and he also played for Surrey .-External sources:...

(amateur) – played 7 matches from 1787 to 1795
Richard Lawrence (cricketer)
Richard Lawrence (cricketer)
Richard Lawrence was an English professional cricketer who made 12 known appearances in major cricket matches from 1787 to 1795.-External sources:*...

(Berkshire) – played 12 matches from 1787 to 1795
Stanhope (Middlesex cricketer)
Stanhope (Middlesex cricketer)
Stanhope was an English amateur cricketer who made 9 known appearances in major cricket matches from 1787 to 1798.-External sources:*...

(amateur) – played 9 matches from 1787 to 1798

Leading batsmen

Note that many scorecards in the 18th century are unknown or have missing details and so it is impossible to provide a complete analysis of batting performances: e.g., the missing not outs prevent computation of batting averages. The "runs scored" are in fact the runs known.

runs	player
296	James Aylward James Aylward James Aylward was a noted English cricketer who played for the Hambledon Club. He was a left-handed batsman....
295	John Small
287	William Beldham
269	Thomas Walker Thomas Walker (cricketer) Thomas "Tom" Walker was an English cricketer who played for Hampshire in the days of the Hambledon Club and later for Surrey. He was famous for his brilliant defensive batting. He is also credited with introducing, roundarm bowling, the predecessor of modern overarm bowling.-Career:Walker was born...
179	John Wells John Wells (cricketer) John Wells was a famous English cricketer who played for Surrey.-Career:...
171	Thomas Taylor Thomas Taylor (cricketer) Thomas Taylor was a famous English cricketer who played for the Hambledon Club. He is generally regarded as one of the most outstanding players of the 18th century....
166	George T Boult George T Boult George T Boult was a noted English cricketer of the late 18th century who was a member of the Hambledon Club....
142	William Brazier William Brazier William Brazier was a noted English cricketer of the late 18th century who played mostly for Kent....
138	Noah Mann Noah Mann Noah Mann was a famous English cricketer who played for the Hambledon Club....
138	William Bullen William Bullen William Bullen was an outstanding English cricketer throughout the last quarter of the 18th century. Hailing from Kent, Bullen was a great all-rounder, noted in the key sources as a fast bowler and a "powerful hitter"....
137	Harry Walker Harry Walker (cricketer) Harry Walker was a noted English cricketer who played mainly for Surrey...
131	Joey Ring Joey Ring John "Little Joey" Ring was an English cricketer who played for Kent.Joey Ring was one of Kent’s best batsmen in the late 18th century and was employed by Sir Horatio Mann at Bourne as a huntsman...
126	George Louch George Louch George Louch was an English cricketer and match organiser during the 18th century. He was especially noted for his fielding and was an early stalwart of Marylebone Cricket Club.He was a native of Chatham and was evidently educated at Westminster...
123	Earl of Winchilsea George Finch, 9th Earl of Winchilsea George Finch, 9th Earl of Winchilsea KG PC FRS was an important figure in the history of cricket. His main contributions to the game were patronage and organisation but Winchilsea, an amateur, was also a very keen player....
121	Robert Clifford
114	John Boorman John Boorman (cricketer) John Boorman was a famous English cricketer whose career spanned the 1772 season and the 1793 season....
107	Richard Purchase Richard Purchase Richard Purchase was a famous English cricketer who played for the Hambledon Club.He was only 16 when he made his debut in 1773.Born in Liss, Hampshire, he played for his county in 1773 and 1774 but then did not appear again until 1781...
104	Jack Small Jack Small John Small junior was an English cricketer who played for the Hambledon Club.Jack Small made his debut in 1784, his career continuing until 1811...
103	Francis Booker Francis Booker Francis Booker was an English cricketer. He was a left-handed batsman who was noted as a fine hitter of the ball and a very good outfielder....

Leading bowlers

Note that the wickets credited to an 18th century bowler were only those where he bowled the batsman out. The bowler was not credited with the wickets of batsmen who were caught out, even if it was "caught and bowled". In addition, the runs conceded by each bowler were not recorded so no analyses or averages can be computed.

wkts	player
29	David Harris
24	Butcher Butcher (Surrey cricketer) Butcher refers to an English cricketer who was one of the most outstanding professional bowlers of the late 18th century. No personal details have been traced and knowledge of him is limited to what is in match reports and scorecards....
22	John Boorman John Boorman (cricketer) John Boorman was a famous English cricketer whose career spanned the 1772 season and the 1793 season....
22	Edward "Lumpy" Stevens
17	Thomas Taylor Thomas Taylor (cricketer) Thomas Taylor was a famous English cricketer who played for the Hambledon Club. He is generally regarded as one of the most outstanding players of the 18th century....
16	Martin
15	William Bullen William Bullen William Bullen was an outstanding English cricketer throughout the last quarter of the 18th century. Hailing from Kent, Bullen was a great all-rounder, noted in the key sources as a fast bowler and a "powerful hitter"....
15	Robert Clifford
11	Noah Mann Noah Mann Noah Mann was a famous English cricketer who played for the Hambledon Club....
10	William Fennex William Fennex William Fennex was a famous English cricketer. He was a noted all-rounder and right arm fast bowler...

Leading fielders

Note that many scorecards in the 18th century are unknown or have missing details and so the totals are of the known catches and stumpings only. Stumpings were not always recorded as such and sometimes the name of the wicket-keeper was not given. Generally, a catch was given the same status as "bowled" with credit being awarded to the fielder only and not the bowler. There is never a record of "caught and bowled": the bowler would be credited with the catch, not with the wicket.

ct/st	player
11	Harry Walker Harry Walker (cricketer) Harry Walker was a noted English cricketer who played mainly for Surrey...
11	Thomas Taylor Thomas Taylor (cricketer) Thomas Taylor was a famous English cricketer who played for the Hambledon Club. He is generally regarded as one of the most outstanding players of the 18th century....
9	William Beldham
9	George Louch George Louch George Louch was an English cricketer and match organiser during the 18th century. He was especially noted for his fielding and was an early stalwart of Marylebone Cricket Club.He was a native of Chatham and was evidently educated at Westminster...
8	Robert Clifford
7	William Bullen William Bullen William Bullen was an outstanding English cricketer throughout the last quarter of the 18th century. Hailing from Kent, Bullen was a great all-rounder, noted in the key sources as a fast bowler and a "powerful hitter"....