1792 English cricket season
Encyclopedia
In the 1792 English cricket season, Kent
played Hampshire
at Cobham Park
, which was Lord Darnley
’s estate and the home of the Bligh family. Ninety years later it became the home of the Ashes
in the shape of the urn brought back from Australia
by the Hon. Ivo Bligh.
A match in Sheffield provides the earliest known instance of the rare dismissal of obstructing the field
.
Elsewhere, the earliest known cricket club in India
was formed in Calcutta.
Tom Walker
with 542 runs, including a top score of 107, made the most runs in 1792; ahead of William Beldham with 503, including a top score of 144.
Other leading runscorers were William Fennex
388; Earl of Winchilsea
374; Edward Bligh
372; George Louch
270; Andrew Freemantle
266; Jack Small
258; Richard Purchase
232; George Henry Monson
230; John Wells
207
Thomas Boxall
with 46 was the leading wicket-taker in 1792
Other leading bowlers were David Harris with 36 wickets; Thomas Lord
33; John Hammond
28; Richard Purchase
28; Tom Walker
24; William Beldham 18; Harry Walker
18; William Fennex
13; William Bedster
10
William Beldham with 31 catches was easily the season's best fielder
Others were George Henry Monson
13 ct, 1 st; Edward Bligh
7 ct, 6 st; George Louch
13; William Fennex
11 ct, 1 st; Richard Purchase
11 ct; John Wells
11 ct; Thomas Ingram
6 ct, 4 st; Thomas Scott
9 ct; Tom Taylor
9
Kent county cricket teams
Kent county cricket teams have been traced back to the 17th century but the county's involvement in cricket goes back much further than that. Kent, jointly with Sussex, is the birthplace of the sport...
played Hampshire
Hampshire county cricket teams
Hampshire county cricket teams have been traced back to the 18th century but the county's involvement in cricket goes back much further than that...
at Cobham Park
Cobham, Kent
Cobham is a village and civil parish in the Gravesham District of Kent, England. It is located south of Watling Street, the old road from Dover to London, six miles south-east of Gravesend. The hamlet of Sole Street lies within the parish, which covers an area of 1,240 ha and has a population of...
, which was Lord Darnley
Lord Darnley
Lord Darnley is a title associated with a Scottish Lordship of Parliament first created in 1356 and tracing a descent to the Dukedom of Richmond in England. Outside the Peerage of Scotland, another Earldom of Darnley was created in the Peerage of Ireland in 1729.The first baron was Sir John...
’s estate and the home of the Bligh family. Ninety years later it became the home of the Ashes
The Ashes
The Ashes is a Test cricket series played between England and Australia. It is one of the most celebrated rivalries in international cricket and dates back to 1882. It is currently played biennially, alternately in the United Kingdom and Australia. Cricket being a summer sport, and the venues...
in the shape of the urn brought back from Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
by the Hon. Ivo Bligh.
A match in Sheffield provides the earliest known instance of the rare dismissal of obstructing the field
Obstructing the field
Obstructing the field is a rare method of dismissal in the sport of cricket.-Definition:Law 37 of the Laws of cricket provides that:"Either batsman is out Obstructing the field if he wilfully obstructs or distracts the opposing side by word or action...
.
Elsewhere, the earliest known cricket club in India
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
was formed in Calcutta.
Matches
| Date | Match Title | Venue | Source | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7-9 May (M-W) | MCC v Middlesex | Lord's (Dorset Square) | SB128 | MCC won by 274 runs |
| 15-17 May (Tu-Th) | MCC v Middlesex | Lord's (Dorset Square) | SB129 | Middlesex won by 5 runs |
| 21-22 May (M-Tu) | Bligh v Earl of Winchilsea | Lord's (Dorset Square) | SB129 | Winchilsea's XI won by 8 wkts |
| 28-30 May (M-W) | MCC v Sussex | Lord's (Dorset Square) | SB130 | Sussex won by 9 wkts |
| 31 May - 1 June (Th-F) | MCC v Berkshire | Lord's (Dorset Square) | SB131 | MCC won by 7 runs |
| 6-8 June (W-F) | MCC v All-England | Lord's (Dorset Square) | SB132 | MCC won by innings & 10 runs |
See the note re the 1793 match on 12-14 June which some sources have recorded on the same dates in 1792. |
||||
| 21-23 June (Th-S) | All-England v Kent | Lord's (Dorset Square) | SB133 | All-England won by 10 runs |
| 2-4 July (M-W) | All-England v Hampshire | Burley-on-the-Hill, Rutland | SB134 | Hampshire won by 75 runs |
| 9 July (M) | Nottingham v Leicester ^ | Burley-on-the-Hill, Rutland | SB135 | Leicester won by 4 wkts |
^ Full title is Nottingham v Leicestershire & Rutland. There is no doubt the teams were representative of the counties and similar to the sides that competed against MCC in 1791. The match is historically important and is a major fixture. The Nottingham v Leicester game is also in William North’s 1832 book of Nottingham Old Club Match Scores. |
||||
| 16-18 July (M-W) | Hampshire v All-England | Windmill Down | SB136 | Hampshire won by 127 runs |
| 19-20 July (Th-F) | Hampshire Colts v Brighton # | Windmill Down | SB137 | Hampshire won by 6 wkts |
| 24-27 July (Tu-F) | Hampshire v Surrey | Perriam Down | SB137 | Surrey won by 109 runs |
| 2-4 Aug (Th-S) | Berkshire v MCC | Oldfield Bray | SB138 | Berkshire won by 10 runs |
| 7 Aug (Tu) | Brighton v Hampshire Colts # | PoW Ground, Brighton | SB139 | Brighton won by 7 wkts |
# The two Hambledon v Brighton games recorded in S&B are considered minor due to lack of recognised players. |
||||
| 15-17 Aug (W-F) | Kent v Hampshire | Cobham Park, near Gravesend | SB140 | Hampshire won by 8 wkts |
Cobham Park was Lord Darnley’s estate and the home of the Bligh family. Ninety years later it became the home of the Ashes brought back from Australia by the Hon. Ivo Bligh. |
||||
| 20-23 Aug (M-Th) | Sussex v MCC | PoW Ground, Brighton | SB140 | Sussex won by 3 wkts |
The Prince of Wales Ground in Brighton had its name changed over the years and was known as Box’s Ground in the next century. |
||||
| 23-25 Aug (Th-S) | Sussex v MCC | PoW Ground, Brighton | SB141 | Sussex won by innings & 44 runs |
| 27 Aug (M) | Sheffield v Bents Green | Sheffield ? | FLPV | Sheffield won by 10 wkts |
This was three innings a side and is the first match played in Yorkshire for which the full scores are known. Mr Buckley found the information in the Sheffield Advertiser dated 31 August 1792. This is the first match in which a batsman was given out for obstructing the field. The Bents Green player John Shaw, who scored 7 in the first innings, had his dismissal recorded as "run out of the ground to hinder a catch". |
||||
| 29-31 Aug (W-F) | Kent v Essex | Dartford Brent | SB142 | Kent won by 81 runs |
| 5-6 Sept (W-Th) | Sussex v Middlesex | PoW Ground, Brighton | SB142 | Sussex won by 5 wkts |
S&B says only the two first innings were played during 5-7 Sept 1792 (rain-affected?) and the game was concluded on 27 May 1793 when the two second innings were played. |
||||
| 17-19 Sept (M-W) | Kent v Hampshire | Dartford Brent | SB143 | Hampshire won by innings & 23 runs |
| 20-22, 24 Sept (Th-M) | Middlesex v Sussex | Lord's (Dorset Square) | brit | drawn (rain) |
Britcher reports that the game was postponed because of rain until Whit Monday in 1793 but we do not know if it was concluded. Details of this match only came to light recently when Britcher’s work became available. |
||||
| 27-28 Sept (Th-F) | Essex v Kent | Langton Park, Hornchurch | SB144 | Kent won by 158 runs |
First mentions
- Thomas RayThomas Ray (cricketer)Thomas Ray was an English cricketer who played mainly for Berkshire and Middlesex. He was for many years employed by MCC as a professional who probably coached the members....
- Robert RobinsonRobert Robinson (cricketer)Robert Robinson was an English cricketer who played for Hampshire at the time of the Hambledon Club and also for Surrey....
- James Harding (cricketer)James Harding (cricketer)James Harding was an English professional cricketer who made 37 known appearances in major cricket matches between 1792 and 1810.-Career:...
(Surrey) – played 37 matches to 1810 - Finch (Berkshire cricketer)Finch (Berkshire cricketer)Finch was an English professional cricketer who made 13 known appearances in major cricket matches from 1792 to 1795.-External sources:*...
(Berkshire) – played 13 matches to 1795 - Sylvester (Middlesex cricketer)Sylvester (Middlesex cricketer)Sylvester was an English professional cricketer who made 28 known appearances in major cricket matches from 1792 to 1799.-External sources:*...
(Middlesex) – played 28 matches to 1799 - S. Gill (Berkshire) – played 11 matches to 1795
- Monk (Berkshire cricketer)Monk (Berkshire cricketer)Monk was an English professional cricketer who made 10 known appearances in major cricket matches from 1792 to 1795.-External sources:*...
(Berkshire) – played ten matches to 1795 - Sir John Shelley, 6th BaronetSir John Shelley, 6th BaronetSir John Shelley, 6th Baronet was an English amateur cricketer who made 10 known appearances in major cricket matches from 1792 to 1795....
(Sussex/MCC; amateur) – played ten matches to 1795 - Timber (Berkshire cricketer)Timber (Berkshire cricketer)Timber was an English professional cricketer who made 10 known appearances in major cricket matches from 1792 to 1795.-External sources:*...
(Berkshire) – played ten matches to 1795 - Thompson (Berkshire cricketer)Thompson (Berkshire cricketer)Thompson was an English professional cricketer who made 11 known appearances in major cricket matches from 1785 to 1794.-External sources:*...
(Berkshire) – played nine matches to 1794 - Thomas Colyear, 4th Earl of Portmore (Hampshire; amateur) – played six matches to 1799
- Harvey (Essex cricketer)Harvey (Essex cricketer)Harvey was an English professional cricketer who made 5 known appearances in major cricket matches from 1792 to 1793.-External sources:*...
(Essex) – played five matches to 1793 - Robert QuarmeRobert QuarmeRobert Quarme was an English amateur cricketer who made 4 known appearances in first-class cricket matches from 1792 to 1793.-External sources:*...
(Berkshire; amateur) – played four matches to 1793 - Capron (Sussex cricketer)Capron (Sussex cricketer)Capron was an English professional cricketer who made 3 known appearances in major cricket matches in 1792.-External sources:*...
(Sussex) – played three matches to 1792 - Munday (Hampshire cricketer)Munday (Hampshire cricketer)Munday was an English professional cricketer who made 3 known appearances in major cricket matches from 1792 to 1797.-External sources:*...
(Hampshire) – played three matches to 1797 - William StreetsWilliam StreetsWilliam Streets was an English professional cricketer who made 4 known appearances in major cricket matches from 1792 to 1803.-External sources:*...
(Notts) – played four matches to 1803 - J. Clarke (Leicestershire cricketer)J. Clarke (Leicestershire cricketer)J. Clarke was an English professional cricketer who made 2 known appearances in major cricket matches from 1792 to 1800.-External sources:*...
(Leics) – played two matches to 1800 - John Stewart (Hampshire cricketer)John Stewart (Hampshire cricketer)John Stewart was an English amateur cricketer who made 2 known appearances in major cricketmatches from 1792 to 1797.-External sources:*...
(Hampshire; amateur) – played two matches to 1797 - James Smith (Kent cricketer)James Smith (Kent cricketer)James Smith was an English professional cricketer who made 8 known appearances in major cricketmatches from 1792 to 1796.-Career:...
(Kent/Middlesex) – played eight matches to 1796
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.Tom 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...
with 542 runs, including a top score of 107, made the most runs in 1792; ahead of William Beldham with 503, including a top score of 144.
Other leading runscorers were William Fennex
William Fennex
William Fennex was a famous English cricketer. He was a noted all-rounder and right arm fast bowler...
388; 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....
374; Edward Bligh
Edward Bligh
Edward Bligh , styled The Honourable from birth, was an Irish politician, a noted amateur cricketer and a prominent early member of the Marylebone Cricket Club....
372; 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...
270; Andrew Freemantle
Andrew Freemantle
Andrew Freemantle was an English cricketer who played for Hampshire during the Hambledon Era and afterwards...
266; 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...
258; 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...
232; George Henry Monson
George Henry Monson
The Honourable Sir George Henry Monson was a noted English amateur cricketer whose known first-class career included 13 matches from the 1785 to the 1792 season...
230; John Wells
John Wells (cricketer)
John Wells was a famous English cricketer who played for Surrey.-Career:...
207
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.Thomas Boxall
Thomas Boxall
Thomas Boxall was a famous English cricketer of the late 18th century. He was a very successful right arm bowler, believed to have been fast underarm....
with 46 was the leading wicket-taker in 1792
Other leading bowlers were David Harris with 36 wickets; 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...
33; John Hammond
John Hammond (cricketer)
John Hammond was an English cricketer of the late 18th and early 19th century. He was one of the greatest early Sussex players....
28; 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...
28; Tom 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...
24; William Beldham 18; Harry Walker
Harry Walker (cricketer)
Harry Walker was a noted English cricketer who played mainly for Surrey...
18; William Fennex
William Fennex
William Fennex was a famous English cricketer. He was a noted all-rounder and right arm fast bowler...
13; William Bedster
William Bedster
William Bedster was an English cricketer of the late 18th century. He was a good batsman and a useful bowler....
10
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.William Beldham with 31 catches was easily the season's best fielder
Others were George Henry Monson
George Henry Monson
The Honourable Sir George Henry Monson was a noted English amateur cricketer whose known first-class career included 13 matches from the 1785 to the 1792 season...
13 ct, 1 st; Edward Bligh
Edward Bligh
Edward Bligh , styled The Honourable from birth, was an Irish politician, a noted amateur cricketer and a prominent early member of the Marylebone Cricket Club....
7 ct, 6 st; 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...
13; William Fennex
William Fennex
William Fennex was a famous English cricketer. He was a noted all-rounder and right arm fast bowler...
11 ct, 1 st; 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...
11 ct; John Wells
John Wells (cricketer)
John Wells was a famous English cricketer who played for Surrey.-Career:...
11 ct; 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...
6 ct, 4 st; Thomas Scott
Thomas Scott (cricketer)
Thomas Scott was an English cricketer who played for Hampshire at the time of the Hambledon Club. He was a specialist batsman who may have been a regular opener, but it is not known if he was right or left-handed...
9 ct; Tom 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