Supriya Ghosh (Editor)

Guildford Bason

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Location
  
Guildford, Surrey

Establishment
  
by 1769

Home club
  
Guildford Cricket Club

Last used
  
1777

County club
  
Surrey (pre-county club)

Guildford Bason (or Basin) is an English former cricket ground on Merrow Down, on the outskirts of Guildford, Surrey. Guildford is the location for the earliest definite reference to cricket in English history. A 1597 court case proves that a certain plot of land was used by boys who were playing the game in c.1550.

Cricket on Merrow Down

In July 1730, Merrow Down is stated as the venue for a match between Mr Andrews’ XI and the Duke of Richmond’s XI.

In September 1741, Merrow Down is the venue for a famous match between, to quote the Duke of Richmond: "poor little Slyndon against almost your whole county of Surrey". Slindon, featuring Richard Newland, won "almost in one innings".

In 1762 there is another Guildford reference at Merrow Down with the Guildford club losing by two runs to Chertsey.

References

Guildford Bason Wikipedia