1727 English cricket season

Cricket season review August 2024 August 2024 1726 1728 In the 1727 English cricket season, matches are, for the first time, known to have been played in accordance with agreed, written rules. Articles of Agreement were drawn up by the 2nd Duke of Richmond and Alan Brodrick, two of the sport's foremost patrons, to formalise the rules applicable to matches which they promoted. Details of four historically important matches have survived.note status Any match listed in the ACS' Important Match Guide (1981) is historically important, and therefore of the highest standard, whether or not a scorecard might exist. The same applies to numerous matches discovered by researchers since 1981.ACS 1981 1–40 For further information, see First-class cricket. Articles of Agreement Articles of Agreement (cricket) thumb|right|150px|Alan Brodrick The Articles of Agreement drawn up by the 2nd Duke of Richmond and Alan Brodrick may have been the first instance of rules being formally agreed, although rules as such definitely existed and, as in the early days of football, would have been agreed orally and subject to local variations.McCann 2004 6–7Maun 2009 34–36 The Articles themselves are the source for two matches played earlier in the 1727 season by the 2nd Duke of Richmond's XI and Sir William Gage's XI. One of the written conditions is "the Duke of Richmond to choose any Gamesters, who have played in either of His Grace's two last Matches with Sir William Gage". Nothing else is known about the two Richmond v Gage matches.ACS 1981 19McCann 2004 6–7 The first match between Richmond's XI and Alan Brodrick's XI was played in July, probably at Peper Harow, as the Articles state: "the first Match shall be played some day of this instant July in the county of Surry". Peper Harow is mentioned: "Mr. Brodrick to choose any Gamesters within three Miles of Pepperhara (sic), provided they actually lived there last Lady Day".McCann 2004 6–7 Peper Harow is about four miles from Godalming, and was the home of the Brodrick family. There is a view that it was the venue of the match in July.Marshall 1961 47–48 The Articles then state: "the second match to be played in August next in the County of Sussex, the Place to be named by the Duke of Richmond". The chosen venue is unknown.McCann 2004 6–7 Thomas Waymark is the only player mentioned in connection with either match.Marshall 1961 52 Accounted the first great all-rounder, Waymark played for over 20 years and was noted for his "extraordinary agility and dexterity".Major 2007 47 Other events thumb|right|150px|Horace Walpole Horace Walpole commented that cricket was already "common" at Eton College. This is the earliest reference to cricket being played both at Eton, and in the county of Berkshire.Bowen 1970 262 A match was played at Cranbrook, Kent on Monday, 29 May between "14 old men of that town". The oldest, Richard Shefe, was 84. The match was to celebrate Restoration Day, also known as Oak Apple Day.Maun 2009 34–35 There was a game on Warehorne Green, at Warehorne in Kent, on Monday, 5 June that was arranged by George Baker, Esq. who is described as the General Receiver; and Thomas Hodges, Esq. The teams were Warehorne v Hawkshurst, and they played twelve-a-side.Buckley 1935 3 First mentions Counties Berkshire (and at Eton College)Bowen 1970 262 Clubs and teams Alan Brodrick's XIMarshall 1961 47–48McCann 2004 6–7 Players Alan Brodrick (Surrey)McCann 2004 6–7 Thomas Waymark (Sussex)Marshall 1961 52 Venues CranbrookMaun 2009 34–35 Peper HarowMcCann 2004 6–7 Warehorne GreenBuckley 1935 3 Notes note References Bibliography ACS Association of Cricket Statisticians and Historians A Guide to Important Cricket Matches Played in the British Isles 1709–1863 1981 ACS Nottingham https://archive.acscricket.com/online_library/match_guides/bi_imp_match_guide/index.html 85045528 Bowen Rowland Rowland Bowen Cricket: A History of its Growth and Development 1970 Eyre & Spottiswoode London 978-04-13278-60-9 Buckley G. B. G. B. Buckley Fresh Light on 18th Century Cricket 1935 Cotterell & Co. Birmingham 23450280 Major John John Major More Than A Game 2007 HarperCollins London 978-00-07183-64-7 https://archive.org/details/morethangamestor0000majo_b8t0 Internet Archive Marshall John John Marshall (cricket writer) The Duke Who Was Cricket Frederick Muller Ltd London 1961 11214571 Maun Ian Ian Maun From Commons to Lord's, Volume One: 1700 to 1750 2009 Roger Heavens Cambridge 978-19-00592-52-9 McCann Tim Timothy J. McCann Sussex Cricket in the Eighteenth Century 2004 West Sussex Record Office Lewes 978-08-54450-55-8 https://www.sussexrecordsociety.org/wp-content/uploads/Digital_editions/SRS-Vol-88.pdf 88 Further reading ACS 1982 A Guide to FC Cricket Matches Played in the British Isles ACS Nottingham https://archive.acscricket.com/online_library/match_guides/bi_match_guide/index.html 10586869 Altham H. S. Harry Altham E. W. Swanton E. W. Swanton A History of Cricket, Volume 1 (to 1914) 5th 1962 George Allen & Unwin London 894274808 Birley Derek Derek Birley A Social History of English Cricket 1999 Aurum Press London 978-18-54107-10-7 https://archive.org/details/socialhistoryofe0000birl_d1n5 Internet Archive Wilson Martin An Index to Waghorn Bodyline Books (limited edition, by subscription only) London 2005 Category:1720s in cricket Category:English cricket seasons in the 18th century Category:1727 in England