1798 English cricket season
Encyclopedia
The 1798 English cricket season was marked by numerous matches involving town clubs rather than county teams.
Fewer matches were played in 1798 than in previous years, a trend that continued as the effects of the Napoleonic War were felt, and so fewer runs were scored. The batsmen who scored over 100 runs were:
Thomas Boxall
just led the bowlers with 42 wickets, beating Lord Frederick Beauclerk
who took 40
Other leading bowlers were John Wells
30; William Fennex
23; Tom Walker
16; David Harris 15; Thomas Lord
15
John Hammond
with 9ct, 9st and John Wells
with 10 ct, 8 st were the joint leading fielders in 1798
Lord Frederick Beauclerk
took the most catches with 14, followed by William Fennex
11; Andrew Freemantle
8ct, 2 st; William Beldham 7 ct, 1 st; Thomas Ray
7 ct
Matches
| Date | Match Title | Venue | Source | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 & 3 May (W–Th) | F Beauclerk v J Tufton | Lord's (Dorset Square) | SB230 | Beauclerk's XI won by 19 runs |
The above was excluded from a previous classification but the players are recognised so this a major fixture. However, the return game between Beauclerk and Tufton on 24 Aug was nine a side with weak teams (SB245). |
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| 9–10 May (W–Th) | MCC v London | Lord's (Dorset Square) | SB231 | MCC won by 5 wkts |
| 28–29 May (M–Tu) | MCC v Montpelier ^ | Lord's (Dorset Square) | SB232 | Montpelier won by 55 runs |
| 6–8 June (W–Th) | All-England v Surrey | Lord's (Dorset Square) | SB233 | All-England won by 128 runs |
| 13–14 June (W–Th) | Montpelier v MCC ^ | Montpelier Gardens | SB234 | MCC won by 175 runs |
^ As in 1797, Montpelier had a fairly strong team, especially with given men, so their two games v MCC were good quality. The majority of players are recognised and these are major fixtures. |
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| 20–21 Jun (W–Th) | MCC v Middlesex | Lord's (Dorset Square) | SB235 | Middlesex won by 10 wkts |
| 26–27 June (Tu–W) | MCC v All-England | Lord's (Dorset Square) | SB235 | MCC won by 17 runs |
| 11–13 July (W–F) | MCC v All-England | Lord's (Dorset Square) | SB238 | MCC won by 7 wkts |
| 13–14 July (F–S) | F Beauclerk v R Whitehead | Lord’s (Dorset Square) | SB238 | Whitehead's XI won by 7 wkts |
The Beauclerk v Whitehead game on 13–14 July (SB238) was single innings, whether this was intentional or not, and the names of four Whitehead players are unknown. All things considered, this is a marginal fixture needing further analysis. |
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| 26–28 July (Th–S) | Hampshire v MCC | Stoke Down | SB240 | MCC won by 78 runs |
| 2–3 Aug (Th–F) | MCC v Hampshire | Lord's (Dorset Square) | SB241 | Hampshire won by 102 runs |
| 13–15 Aug (M–W) | All-England v Surrey | Lord's (Dorset Square) | SB243 | All-England won by innings & 12 runs |
| 16–17 Aug (Th–F) | All-England v Surrey | Lord's (Dorset Square) | SB244 | All-England won by 13 runs |
| 16–17 Aug (Th–F) | Woolwich v Croydon # | Barrack Field, Woolwich | brit | Woolwich won by 88 runs |
| 29 Aug (W) | Croydon v Woolwich # | Duppas Hill, Croydon | brit | Woolwich won by innings & 25 runs |
| 5–6 Sept (W–Th) | Middlesex v Hertfordshire | Lord's (Dorset Square) | SB247 | Middlesex won by 93 runs |
Herts had a weak team here and was not a major team unless with given men. |
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| 26 Sept (W) | Montpelier v Woolwich &c. | Montpelier Gardens | FLPV | Montpelier won by 138 runs |
This was a single innings game and the teams were local club standard only. Woolwich &c. in full is Woolwich, Crayford & Dartford (also on 8–9 October below). |
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| 1–2 Oct (M–Tu) | Yorkshire Militia v Nottingham Militia | Wetherby | FLPV | NM won by 58 runs |
| 8–9 Oct (M–Tu) | Woolwich &c. v Montpelier # | Barrack Field, Woolwich | brit | drawn |
# These three matches were unknown till Britcher’s scores came to light recently. They are minor matches involving local clubs only. |
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First mentions
- Henry BentleyHenry Bentley (cricketer)Henry Bentley was an English first-class cricketer who played for MCC, Middlesex and Hampshire in 68 matches from 1798 to 1822....
- Capt. / Col. Peregrine MaitlandPeregrine MaitlandSir Peregrine Maitland, KCB, GCB was a British soldier and colonial administrator who played first-class cricket from 1798 to 1808....
, (MCC and Surrey; amateur) – played 27 matches to 1808 - Charles ReedCharles Reed (cricketer)Charles Reed was an English professional cricketer who made 7 known appearances in major cricket matches from 1798 to 1810.-Career:Reed was a wicket-keeper who was mainly associated with Kent . He was the country's leading wicket-keeper in the 1801 season....
(Kent) – played 7 matches from 1798 to 1810 - Williams (MCC cricketer)Williams (MCC cricketer)Williams was an English amateur cricketer who made 6 known appearances in major cricket matches in 1798.-External sources:*...
(MCC; amateur) – played 6 matches in 1798 - J. EaversJ. EaversJ Eavers was an English professional cricketer who made 6 known appearances in major cricket matches from 1798 to 1802.-External sources:*...
(MCC) – played 5 matches from 1798 to 1802 - James BennettJames Bennett (cricketer)James Bennett was an English professional cricketer who made 5 known appearances in major cricket matches from 1798 to 1805. He was a cousin of the more famous John Bennett.-External sources:*...
(Hampshire) – played 5 matches from 1798 to 1805 - Bourke (MCC cricketer)Bourke (MCC cricketer)Bourke was an English amateur cricketer who made 2 known appearances in major cricket matches in 1798.-External sources:*...
(MCC; amateur) – played 2 matches in 1798 - Donnithorn (MCC cricketer)Donnithorn (MCC cricketer)Donnithorn was an English amateur cricketer who made 2 known appearances in major cricket matches in 1798.-External sources:*...
(MCC; amateur) – played 2 matches in 1798 - Greenham (Hampshire cricketer)Greenham (Hampshire cricketer)Greenham was an English professional cricketer who made 2 known appearances in major cricket matches in 1798.-External sources:*...
– played 2 matches in 1798 - Johnston (Middlesex cricketer)Johnston (Middlesex cricketer)Johnston was an English professional cricketer who made 3 known appearances in major cricket matches from 1798 to 1801.-Career:He was mainly associated with Middlesex but also played for the Montpelier Cricket Club in Surrey ....
– played 2 matches in 1798
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.Fewer matches were played in 1798 than in previous years, a trend that continued as the effects of the Napoleonic War were felt, and so fewer runs were scored. The batsmen who scored over 100 runs were:
- Lord Frederick BeauclerkLord Frederick BeauclerkLord Frederick Beauclerk was an outstanding but controversial English first-class cricketer for 35 years from 1791 to 1825. On his retirement, he served as president of Marylebone Cricket Club in 1826.Beauclerk was the fourth son of the 5th Duke of St Albans and became a clergyman. He was Vicar...
— 369 - Andrew FreemantleAndrew FreemantleAndrew Freemantle was an English cricketer who played for Hampshire during the Hambledon Era and afterwards...
— 217 - Benjamin CliftonBenjamin CliftonBenjamin Clifton was an English amateur cricketer who made 11 known appearances in major cricket matches from 1797 to 1798.-Career:...
— 187 - John Tufton — 185
- 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....
— 179 - Jack SmallJack SmallJohn Small junior was an English cricketer who played for the Hambledon Club.Jack Small made his debut in 1784, his career continuing until 1811...
— 177 - Tom WalkerThomas 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...
— 164 - William FennexWilliam FennexWilliam Fennex was a famous English cricketer. He was a noted all-rounder and right arm fast bowler...
— 148 - 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....
— 147 - T A SmithThomas Assheton Smith IIThomas Assheton Smith was an English landowner and all-round sportsman who was notable for being one of the outstanding amateur cricketers of the early 19th century. He was a Tory politician who sat in the House of Commons from 1821 to 1837...
— 146 - Hampton — 141
- William Beldham — 136
- John WellsJohn Wells (cricketer)John Wells was a famous English cricketer who played for Surrey.-Career:...
— 135 - Harry WalkerHarry Walker (cricketer)Harry Walker was a noted English cricketer who played mainly for Surrey...
— 127 - John HammondJohn 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....
— 112
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....
just led the bowlers with 42 wickets, beating Lord Frederick Beauclerk
Lord Frederick Beauclerk
Lord Frederick Beauclerk was an outstanding but controversial English first-class cricketer for 35 years from 1791 to 1825. On his retirement, he served as president of Marylebone Cricket Club in 1826.Beauclerk was the fourth son of the 5th Duke of St Albans and became a clergyman. He was Vicar...
who took 40
Other leading bowlers were John Wells
John Wells (cricketer)
John Wells was a famous English cricketer who played for Surrey.-Career:...
30; William Fennex
William Fennex
William Fennex was a famous English cricketer. He was a noted all-rounder and right arm fast bowler...
23; 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...
16; David Harris 15; 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...
15
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.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....
with 9ct, 9st and John Wells
John Wells (cricketer)
John Wells was a famous English cricketer who played for Surrey.-Career:...
with 10 ct, 8 st were the joint leading fielders in 1798
Lord Frederick Beauclerk
Lord Frederick Beauclerk
Lord Frederick Beauclerk was an outstanding but controversial English first-class cricketer for 35 years from 1791 to 1825. On his retirement, he served as president of Marylebone Cricket Club in 1826.Beauclerk was the fourth son of the 5th Duke of St Albans and became a clergyman. He was Vicar...
took the most catches with 14, followed by William Fennex
William Fennex
William Fennex was a famous English cricketer. He was a noted all-rounder and right arm fast bowler...
11; Andrew Freemantle
Andrew Freemantle
Andrew Freemantle was an English cricketer who played for Hampshire during the Hambledon Era and afterwards...
8ct, 2 st; William Beldham 7 ct, 1 st; Thomas Ray
Thomas 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....
7 ct