1744 English cricket season

Cricket season review May 2021 May 2021 1743 1743 English cricket season 1745 1745 English cricket season thumb|The Artillery Ground in Finsbury was the feature venue of English cricket in 1744. The 1744 cricket season in England is remembered for the earliest known codification of the Laws of Cricket. This was drafted by members of several cricket clubs, though the code was not published until 1755. Much of its terminology such as no ball, over, toss, umpire, and wicket remain in current use. The season is also notable for the two earliest known surviving match scorecards. The second of those matches, played on Monday, 18 June, was a celebrated event in which Kent challenged England at the Artillery Ground, Kent winning by one wicket. In total, details of 24 historically important matches are known.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. In September, Slindon Cricket Club defeated London Cricket Club and then issued a challenge to play "any parish in England". The challenge was accepted by the Addington and Bromley clubs, but there is no record of either challenge match having been completed. The single wicket form of the sport was popular and reports have survived of four important matches played at the Artillery Ground. Several eleven-a-side matches are the subject of surviving pre-match announcements or post-match summaries. Some reports mention crowd disturbances, and efforts were made to implement control by means of admission charges, and limitations on the sale of alcohol. Wagering on cricket was common, and some matches are known to have been played for high stakes. The Laws of Cricket Laws of Cricket thumb|Charles Lennox, 2nd Duke of Richmond was an influential figure in early cricket. The earliest known coded issue of the Laws of Cricket was drafted by members of several clubs, including London, of which Frederick Louis, Prince of Wales, was president. Representatives of the clubs met at the Star and Garter tavern on Pall Mall, London.Maun 2009 148https://www.espncricinfo.com/wisdenalmanack/content/story/153476.html Altham H. S. H. S. Altham Dates in Cricket History Wisden Cricketers' Almanack 1965 John Wisden & Co. Ltd London 11 March 2021 The heading of the printed version, published in 1755, reads: "The Game at Cricket, As settled by the Several Cricket-Clubs, Particularly that of the Star and Garter in Pall-Mall".Maun 2009 214Maun 2011 225 According to Wisden Cricketers' Almanack in 1965, these Laws were undoubtedly a recension of a much earlier code. No earlier code has been found. However, there were cases of Articles of Agreement being drawn up, as for the matches in 1727 between Charles Lennox, 2nd Duke of Richmond, and Alan Brodrick, 2nd Viscount Midleton.Maun 2009 213–214 Some of the main points in the 1744 code:Maun 2009 214–217 the toss of a coin determines who bats first; the length of the pitch must be 22 yd m off; the bowling and popping creases must be cut with the popping crease exactly 3 feet ten inches before the bowling crease; the stumps must be 22 in mm high with a six-inch (152 mm) bail; the ball must weigh between 5 and 6 oz g 2 off in; overs last four balls; the no ball is the penalty for overstepping, which means the hind foot going in front of the bowling crease (i.e., in direct line of the wicket); various means of "it is out" are specified – they include hitting the ball twice and obstructing the field; the wicket-keeper is required to be still and quiet until the ball is bowled; umpires must allow two minutes for a new batsman to arrive and ten minutes between innings; the umpire cannot give a batsman out if the fielders do not appeal; the umpire is allowed a certain amount of discretion and it is made clear that the umpire is the "sole judge" and that "his determination shall be absolute". There are four Laws for bowlers but they do not say he must roll the ball and there is no mention of prescribed arm action, only that he must "deliver the ball" with one foot behind the bowling crease.Maun 2009 214–217 Rowland Bowen, writing in the 1965 edition of Wisden, asserts that the ball was bowled in the true sense (all along the ground) through the first half of the 18th century and that this was the rule prior to the 1750s, though it was largely forsaken by the 1770s after bowlers began pitching the ball.https://www.espncricinfo.com/wisdenalmanack/content/story/152818.html Bowen Rowland Rowland Bowen Cricket in the 17th and 18th centuries Wisden Cricketers' Almanack 1965 John Wisden & Co. Ltd London 12 March 2021 Earliest known scorecards thumb|Goodwood House in Sussex, where the oldest known scorecard was kept. The season is also notable for the two earliest known surviving match scorecards.Bowen 1970 263–264 It is not until the 1772 season that more scorecards of important matches have survived, although a handful of cards from minor matches have been found.ACS 1981 21–24, 31 London v Surrey & Sussex, Artillery Ground, 2 June The first, containing individual scores but no details of dismissals, is from a match between London and a combined Surrey & Sussex team at the Artillery Ground on 2 June.ACS 1981 21https://archive.acscricket.com/cricket/1900/26/ Ashley-Cooper F. S. F. S. Ashley-Cooper At the Sign of the Wicket Cricket: A Weekly Record of the Game Merritt & Hatcher Ltd London XIX 531 20–22 22 February 1900 ACS No titles were given to the teams at the time and various titles, including London v Slindon, have been applied by modern authors. London, whose team included given men, was the host club and their opponents were all from the counties of Surrey and Sussex. The scorecard was kept by the 2nd Duke of Richmond at Goodwood House.McCann 2004 26–27 2 June 1744 Surrey & Sussex London 102 George Jackson 19 no bowling data recorded 79 Butler 18 no bowling data recorded 102/6 declared John Harris 47 no bowling data recorded 70 Stephen Dingate 19 no bowling data recorded Surrey & Sussex won by 55 runs Artillery Ground, Finsbury, London not known Toss not known Although the Laws of Cricket did not allow for declarations in 1744, it would seem that the combined XI declared their second innings closed with four wickets standing. The newspaper report says: "55 notches beat by and three men to go in".Maun 2009 136–137 The card gives the scores by each player and their surnames only, although it does differentiate between the two pairs of brothers (the Harrises and Newlands) who were playing. The Daily Advertiser carried the names of players expected to play in the match on 1–2 June and reported the same names on 3 June although some of them do not appear on the scorecard.McCann 2004 26Waghorn 2005 14 Surrey & Sussex scored 102 runs in the first of their two innings, and 102 for 6 wickets in their second. London scored 79 in their first innings and 70 in their second so that Surrey & Sussex won by 55 runs. The highest individual score in the match was 47 by John Harris of Surrey & Sussex in the second innings.Maun 2009 137 This was the first game at which tickets for readmission are known to have been issued to the spectators.Waghorn 2005 14Maun 2009 136–137 England v Kent, Artillery Ground, 18 June Just over a fortnight later, on 18 June, the scorecard has also survived from a match at the Artillery Ground between England and Kent.ACS 1981 21https://archive.acscricket.com/cricket/1900/41/ Ashley-Cooper F. S. F. S. Ashley-Cooper At the Sign of the Wicket Cricket: A Weekly Record of the Game Merritt & Hatcher Ltd London XIX 532 35–37 29 March 1900 ACSWaghorn 1899 33https://cricketarchive.com/Archive/Scorecards/0/1.html England v Kent; Other matches in England 1744 CricketArchive 28 February 2022 subscription The match was arranged by Lord John Sackville, who captained Kent. England, batting first, totalled 40 and 70 in their two innings; Kent responded with 53 and 58 for 9 to win by one wicket.Maun 2009 139 It is the first match for which a scorecard has survived that includes some dismissals, though they are only partially complete. It is known that Kent bowler William Hodsoll took at least eight wickets, while Richard Newland of England made the two highest individual scores in the match with 18 not out and 15.Haygarth 1996 1 The match is the first entry in Arthur Haygarth's Scores & Biographies,Haygarth 1996 1 although he gave the year as 1746 instead of 1744.Waghorn 2005 15Maun 2009 139 18 June 1744 England Kent 40 Richard Newland 18 William Hodsoll 4w 53 George Kipps 12 bowling data unclear 70 Richard Newland 15 William Hodsoll 4w 58/9 Kipps 10 bowling data unclear Kent won by 1 wicket Scorecard Artillery Ground, Finsbury, London not known Toss not known While it is known that Hodsoll took eight wickets in the match, 21 wickets fell (7 each) to bowlers called Harris, Mills, and Newland. But there were two Harrises, two Millses, and three Newlands playing, and the card does not differentiate them.Haygarth 1996 1 In England's first innings, J. Bryant—one of the brothers James or John Bryant—was stumped by George Kipps, the Kent wicket-keeper. It is the earliest known instance of that type of dismissal. Kipps, who is recorded in four historically important matches to 1747, was the sport's first noted wicket-keeper. The match was described by the London Daily Advertiser as the "greatest cricket match ever known".Altham Swanton 1962 34Maun 2009 138, 140 It was a noted social occasion as the spectators included the Prince of Wales and his brother, Prince William, Duke of Cumberland. Also present were the 2nd Duke of Richmond and Admiral Vernon.Maun 2009 139 The poet James Love (1722–1774) commemorated it in his Cricket: An Heroic Poem (1745), written in rhyming couplets. According to cricket historian H. S. Altham, it "should be in every cricket lover's library" and "his description of the game goes with a rare swing".Altham Swanton 1962 32 The poem is one of the first substantial pieces of literature about cricket – in More Than A Game, former prime minister John Major says it is the earliest-known cricket poem.Major 2007 297 Love was himself a cricketer and a member of Richmond Cricket Club in Surrey. There was crowd disorder at the match. The Daily Advertiser reported on Saturday, 30 June that it was "with difficulty the match was played out".Buckley 1935 18–19Maun 2009 139 A decision was taken to charge sixpence admission at future matches on the Artillery Ground. Also, the field would be surrounded by a ring of benches to hold over 800 people and no one without prior authorisation would be allowed within the ring.Buckley 1935 18–19Maun 2009 139 Slindon challenge matches thumb|Slindon Cricket Sign On Monday, 10 September, the London club hosted a match against Slindon at the Artillery Ground. Play continued into the Tuesday and, after winning the match by an unknown margin, Slindon issued a challenge to play "any parish in England" and received immediate acceptances from the Addington and Bromley clubs.Maun 2009 145–146McCann 2004 28–29 These matches were arranged to take place at the Artillery Ground over the next few days and it is known that Slindon v Addington began on Wednesday, 12 September. It was impacted by bad weather and Slindon led by two runs at close of play. There are no surviving reports of play on the 13th.ACS 1981 21Maun 2009 146–147McCann 2004 29–30 Slindon's match against Bromley was scheduled for Friday, 14 September, but there are no surviving reports of it taking place.Maun 2009 147McCann 2004 29–30 Single wicket matches Reports have survived of four important matches played at the Artillery Ground under single wicket rules. This form of cricket was popular through the 1740s. On Wednesday, 13 June, there was a one-a-side match between two unnamed players "for a considerable sum of money, in order to determine finally who is the best player".Maun 2009 138 On Monday, 20 August, there was another one-a-side match "for a large sum" between a Sevenoaks player and a London player.Maun 2009 143 On Monday, 17 September, a three-a-side match was billed as "Long Robin's Side v Richard Newland's Side". The participants were described as "the six best players in England". The teams were Robert Colchin ("Long Robin"), Val Romney, and John Bryant against Richard Newland, Edward Aburrow Sr, and Joe Harris. Aburrow replaced John Mills, called the "famous Kent bowler", who was originally chosen. The stake was two hundred guineas.Maun 2009 147McCann 2004 30–31 There was another "threes" match on Monday, 1 October, again "for a considerable sum" – Robert Colchin, James Bryant, and Joe Harris played against John Bryant, Val Romney and Thomas Waymark.Maun 2009 148 Other eleven-a-side matches thumb|The River Thames at Moulsey Hurst, a popular sporting venue in the 18th century. Reports have survived of three earlier matches between teams called England and Kent. Two of these took place in May at unknown venues and both were won by Kent. They later became the subject of a 1748 court case over unpaid gambling debts.Maun 2009 135–136 The famous match on 18 June was the return to one on Friday, 15 June at Coxheath Common. Details of this match, including the result, are unknown. Kent challenged "eleven pick'd from any part of England".Maun 2009 138 Also in May, England was twice matched against Surrey. The first was played at Moulsey Hurst on Monday, 14 May, and Surrey won by four runs. The return on the 21st was played at the Artillery Ground but no details, including the result, have been found. A newspaper announcement before the second match warned spectators against encroaching onto the field of play and bringing dogs into the ground.ACS 1981 21Maun 2009 135–136 During the season, there were three matches which modern sources have labelled Two Elevens as each involved unnamed teams.ACS 1981 21 The first of these matches took place at the Artillery Ground on Thursday, 5 July. It is known that spectators had to pay sixpence – the earliest recorded admission charge.ACS 1981 21Buckley 1935 19Maun 2009 140–141McCann 2004 27Waghorn 2005 15 The second match began at Moulsey Hurst on Friday, 6 July, and was unfinished. Overnight, one team led by 31 runs with two second innings wickets standing. Play continued at the Artillery Ground on the 7th with admission reduced to the "usual" twopence.ACS 1981 21Maun 2009 141McCann 2004 28 Near the end of the season on Wednesday, 19 September, the Artillery Ground staged "a great match between 22 of the best players from Kent, Surrey, Sussex and London".ACS 1981 21Maun 2009 147–148McCann 2004 31 thumb|Duppas Hill Recreation Ground, near Croydon. The prominent Addington and Bromley clubs, who accepted the Slindon challenge in September, were scheduled to play a match against each other on Friday, 13 July. No post-match reports have survived. The venue was Bromley Common where, as stated in a pre-match announcement, no person was allowed to sell liquor "but who belong to the Parish".Maun 2009 142 On the previous Monday, the 9th, a combined Addington & Bromley team were due to play a team called Surrey and the Rest of Kent at Duppas Hill in Croydon. It is known that George Kipps, the noted wicket-keeper, was a given man for Addington & Bromley. A similar pre-match announcement warned that no person would be allowed to bring liquor into the ground "that don't live in the Parish".Maun 2009 141 In other surviving announcements, London were to host matches at the Artillery Ground against Addington on Monday, 30 July; and against Bromley on Monday, 3 September. No post-match reports have been found.ACS 1981 21Maun 2009 143, 145 Reports or announcements have been found of five other eleven-a-side matches which all involved London. On Monday, 9 July, they were due to play Richmond on Kennington Common but no match details have survived.ACS 1981 21Buckley 1935 19Maun 2009 141 London arranged a match against Woburn Cricket Club at the Artillery Ground for Thursday, 19 July, but it had to be postponed for two days because the Honourable Artillery Company required the ground. No post-match report has been found.ACS 1981 21Maun 2009 142–143 The other three London matches were against Surrey. They first met at Moulsey Hurst on Friday, 24 August, and London won. Robert Colchin of Bromley and Val Romney of Sevenoaks played as given men for London. The stakes for this match were reported to be "£50 a side".ACS 1981 21Maun 2009 144 There was a return match the following Monday, 27th, at the Artillery Ground and London with Colchin and Romney were again the winners.ACS 1981 21Maun 2009 145 A third match was scheduled at the Artillery Ground for Friday, 7 September with Romney playing for London but no post-match details are known.Maun 2009 145 Other events Monday, 11 June. The Penny London Morning Advertiser announced a match on Walworth Common in Surrey between "11 gentlemen of the Borough of Southwark and 11 gentlemen of High Kent and Blackman; the wickets to be pitched at one o'clock". The announcement continued: "The gentlemen who play this match have subscribed for a Holland smock of one guinea value, which will be run for by two jolly wenches, one known by the name of The Little Bit of Blue (the handsome Broom Girl) at the fag end of Kent Street, and the other Black Bess of the Mint. They are to run in drawers only and there is excellent sport expected". As for security: "Captain Vinegar with a great many of his bruisers and bulldogs will attend to make a ring, that no civil spectators may be incommoded by the rabble".Buckley 1935 18 The Penny London Morning Advertiser on Wednesday, 27 June advertised a match to be played next day on Woolwich Common between Woolwich and "the Club in Long Lane, Southwark".Buckley 1935 19 First mentions Thanks to the survival of scorecards from two matches in 1744, the names of a great many players from the season are known. The players listed below are named on the two scorecards but the spans of their careers is generally unknown. It is believed that Dingate, for example, was active in the 1720s while others may have continued into the 1760s.McCann 2004 26 Clubs and teams Addington & Bromley (combined)Maun 2009 141 Kent & Surrey (combined)Maun 2009 141 Long Robin's XI aka Long Robin's SideMcCann 2004 30 Richard Newland's XI aka Richard Newland's SideMcCann 2004 30 Surrey & Sussex (combined)McCann 2004 26 Players name club/county notes Adam Newland Slindon Brother of Richard Newland. Noted member of the Slindon team.McCann 2004 26 Little Bennett London Probably brothers and noted in contemporary reports to have been two of the best batsmen of their time.McCann 2004 26–27 Tall Bennett Collins Surrey Mentioned in 1744 and 1748; played for London against Surrey & Sussex in the earliest match that has a surviving scorecard.McCann 2004 26 Edward Aburrow Sr Slindon and Sussex Also known as "Cuddy", he was a notorious smuggler who played under his alias to disguise himself. Father of the Hambledon player of the same name, he is recorded in matches to 1751. A noted single wicket player.McCann 2004 26 George Jackson Addington and Surrey Known to have been a good batsman who frequently played in single wicket contests, he is recorded in matches to 1752.McCann 2004 26 Green Amberley and Sussex Recorded in three matches to 1747.McCann 2004 26 Howlett London Made two known appearances in 1744 and 1745.McCann 2004 26 James Bryant Bromley and Kent Brother of John Bryant. One of the best players for Kent and a key member of Bromley Cricket Club.McCann 2004 26 James Love Richmond A playing member at Richmond but better known as a poet.Haygarth 1996 1 Joe Harris Addington and Surrey Brother of John Harris and recorded until 1756. Made 26 known appearances in single wicket and 15 in matches.McCann 2004 26 John Harris Addington and Surrey Brother of Joe Harris and recorded until 1754. Made 11 known appearances in single wicket and 12 in matches.McCann 2004 26 John Mills Horsmonden and Kent A noted bowler who played for Kent against England.Haygarth 1996 1 George Kipps Sevenoaks and Kent A noted wicket-keeper who is recorded four times to 1747.Haygarth 1996 1 Maynard Surrey Recorded in 12 matches to 1750.McCann 2004 26 Norris London Made two known appearances in 1744 and 1745.McCann 2004 26 Stephen Dingate Surrey and Sussex Came from Reigate, and believed to have been a barber by trade. One of the leading single wicket players of the 1740s.McCann 2004 26 Stevens Surrey Two players called Stevens were due to play in the London v Surrey & Sussex match on 2 June 1744, but did not take part. They are not mentioned in other sources. They have no known connection with Lumpy Stevens.McCann 2004 26 Tom Faulkner Addington and Surrey A prominent single wicket player who is recorded to 1761. Was also a prizefighter who fought under the sobriquet of "Long Tom".McCann 2004 26 Andrews Slindon and Sussex All played in the London v Surrey & Sussex match.McCann 2004 26 Butler London Hodder Bartram Kent All three played for Kent against England. Mills is believed to have been the brother of John Mills.Haygarth 1996 1 Danes Mills 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 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 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 Haygarth Arthur Arthur Haygarth Scores & Biographies, Volume 1 (1744–1826) Frederick Lillywhite Kennington 1996 1862 978-19-00592-23-9 Major John John Major More Than A Game 2007 HarperCollins London 978-00-07183-64-7 https://archive.org/details/morethangamestor0000majo_b8t0 Internet Archive Maun Ian Ian Maun From Commons to Lord's, Volume One: 1700 to 1750 2009 Roger Heavens Cambridge 978-19-00592-52-9 Maun Ian Ian Maun From Commons to Lord's, Volume Two: 1751 to 1770 2011 Martin Wilson Leicester 978-09-56906-60-1 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 Waghorn H. T. H. T. Waghorn Cricket Scores, Notes, &c. From 1730–1773 Blackwood Edinburgh 1899 1086375331 Waghorn H. T. H. T. Waghorn The Dawn of Cricket J. W. McKenzie London 2005 1906 978-09-47821-17-3 Further reading 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 Marshall John John Marshall (cricket writer) The Duke Who Was Cricket Frederick Muller Ltd London 1961 11214571 Wilson Martin An Index to Waghorn Bodyline Books (limited edition, by subscription only) London 2005 Category:1740s in cricket Category:English cricket seasons in the 18th century Category:1744 in England