Start date 1750 | ||
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The 1750 cricket season was the 153rd in England since the earliest known definite reference to cricket in January 1597 (i.e., Old Style – 1598 New Style). Details have survived of six important eleven-a-side and four single wicket matches. Kent and Surrey played three inter-county matches.
Contents
In At the Sign of the Wicket, F. S. Ashley-Cooper gives the opinion that the Hambledon Club was founded in or about 1750, but there is no evidence to support this view and the club's origin is unknown. As the team was playing top-class cricket in the 1756 season (i.e., its earliest recorded matches), it seems likely that a local club of some kind was founded much earlier than 1750 as it must have risen to a position of prominence in Hampshire before being able to take on the likes of Dartford from 1756. It is possible, as with many later county clubs, that a parish club was in existence for a long time and was then subject to substantial reorganisation after its team became famous. This might explain the many "origins" of the Hambledon Club up to about the 1767 season.
Important matches
The following matches are classified as important:
Single wicket
Thurs 26 July. Five of Richmond played Five of London for a guinea a man on the Artillery Ground. No details are known.
Mon 10 September. The first of three "fives" between Stephen Dingate and Tom Faulkner at the Artillery Ground. Faulkner won this one, which was played for fifty guineas. Teams were: Stephen Dingate, John Bryant, James Bryant, John Bell and Thomas Bell versus Tom Faulkner, Joseph Harris, John Harris, Durling and Perry.
Fri 14 September. The second match ended in a tie, both sides totalling nine. As single-wicket rules applied, all batsmen were out. It is known they were all bowled (but not who by) except for Dingate who was caught in the 2nd innings, Thomas Bell who was run out in the 2nd innings and Joe Harris who was caught in the 2nd innings (apparently while trying to hit the winning run).
Mon 17 September. The third and deciding game of "fives" was won by Tom Faulkner’s side by an innings and one run. Dingate’s team scored 10 & 18 but Faulkner’s scored 29. Interestingly, the individual figures in the recorded score of Dingate’s second innings add up to 20 but 18 was definitely the correct total so one or more of the individual scores was wrong.
Other events
Wed 8 August. Death of Charles Lennox, 2nd Duke of Richmond (1701 – 1750), who was arguably the greatest of the game’s early patrons, particularly of the Slindon Cricket Club and of Sussex cricket in general. His death was followed by an immediate slump in Sussex cricket and it is not until 1766 that a recovery can be discerned.