List of English cricketers (1598–1787)

This is a list of people who are known to have been involved in the historical development of cricket from its earliest known mention in 1598 to the opening of the original Lord's and the formation of Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) in 1787. The list is by season, this being the season in which the person's name first appears in surviving sources. The first name is John Derrick, who made a legal deposition in January 1598 (New Style, 1597 Old Style) which includes the earliest mention of cricket on record. The last name, and the only one in 1787, is Thomas Lord whose new ground was opened at the beginning of that season; MCC was founded soon afterwards.

In the 17th century, the names are those of people who may or may not have been regular players. Many are referenced only in court cases, or are people who witnessed the sport. The town or village given is where their involvement occurred. In the 18th century, more information is available in the sources so it is easier to identify the active players and the clubs or county teams with which they are most usually associated. Although some people like the Dukes of Richmond are remembered primarily as patrons, they were invariably players too and generally captained their own teams. Cricket underwent radical changes during the 18th century. Patronage and popular support enabled it to outgrow its roots as a village pastime and develop into a major sport in southeast England which had begun its spread through the rest of the country by 1787. The Laws of Cricket were first written in 1744 and revised in 1774. In the early 1760s, pitched delivery bowling was introduced and this necessitated the invention of the straight bat: an evolution in bowling and batting techniques.

Much of our knowledge about 18th century players has come from match scorecards. The earliest known scorecards date from 1744 but only a handful exist from then until 1772 when they began to be completed and, more importantly, preserved on a regular basis. As such, the sport's statistical record begins in 1772 but scorecards until the Lord's Pavilion fire in July 1825 are often incomplete and, for many matches, are lost.^{[note 1]}

The key historical sources are the works of Arthur Haygarth, F. S. Ashley-Cooper, H. T. Waghorn, G. B. Buckley, Rowland Bowen, and Ian Maun, among others.

Note #1:Online databases are excluded from this work (except in footnotes) as the scope is historical, and NOT statistical.

Note #2:Unless specified as single wicket, a "match" is eleven-a-side, and also important.

Cricketers

1598 to 1725

year	name	location	notes[note 2][note 3]
1598	John Derrick	Guildford, Surrey	The earliest known mention of cricket was made by John Derrick, who played as a boy when he was a pupil at the Royal Grammar School, Guildford (pictured) some fifty years earlier.[5]
1611	Bartholomew Wyatt	Sidlesham, Sussex	Both were prosecuted for "breaking the Sabbath" by playing cricket on a Sunday.[6]
	Richard Latter
1617	Oliver Cromwell	London	The earliest known reference to cricket in London concerns the future Lord Protector, who played the game there when training at the Inns of Court.[7]
1622	Edward Hartley	Boxgrove, Sussex	All were prosecuted for "breaking the Sabbath" by playing cricket on a Sunday.[6]
	Anthony Ward
	Raphe West
	Richard Martin senior
	Richard Martin junior
	Richard Slaughter
	Thomas West
	William Martin
1624	Jasper Vinall	West Hoathly, Sussex	Vinall died as the result of an injury during a game, caused by a blow on the head from Tye's bat; he is the sport's earliest known fatality.[8]
	Edward Tye
1628	Edward Taylor	East Lavant, Sussex	Both were prosecuted for "breaking the Sabbath" by playing cricket on a Sunday.[8]
	William Greentree
1629	Henry Cuffin	Ruckinge, Kent	Prosecuted for "breaking the Sabbath" by playing cricket on a Sunday.[9]
1636	Henry Mabbinck	West Horsley, Surrey	Testified in a tithe dispute that cricket was played in West Horsley.[10]
1646	Samuel Filmer	Coxheath, Kent	Filmer and Harlackenden played and defeated the other four but had to resort to litigation when their winnings were not paid.[11]
	Thomas Harlackenden
	Richard Marsh	Maidstone, Kent
	Robert Sanders
	Walter Franklyn
	William Cooper
1647	Henry Brand	Selsey, Sussex	Brand was killed after being struck on the head by Latter's bat during a game.[12]
	Thomas Latter
1652	John Rabson	Cranbrook, Kent	Prosecuted for "breaking the Sabbath" by playing cricket on a Sunday.[13]
1665	John Churchill, 1st Duke of Marlborough	St Paul's School, London	Churchill attended the school as a teenage pupil in the 1660s and is known to have played there. Following Cromwell in 1617, this is the second known reference to cricket in London and both concern young men who became famous generals.[14]
1666	Sir Robert Paston	Richmond, Surrey	In a letter, he mentioned a "cricketting" on Richmond Green.[15]
1671	Edward Bound	Shere, Surrey	Prosecuted for "breaking the Sabbath" but he was exonerated.[16]
1673	Thomas Salmon	University of Oxford	In the earliest reference to cricket at Oxford, Salmon is criticised for his love of the game by his rival John Phillips.[17]
1676	Henry Tonge	British Mission, Aleppo, Turkey	Provided the earliest known record of cricket being played outside England.[18]
1677	Thomas Lennard, 1st Earl of Sussex	Herstmonceux, Sussex	His personal accounts refer to him receiving £3 when he attended a match.[19]
1694	Sir John Pelham	Lewes, Sussex	His personal accounts refer to him paying for a wager when he attended a match.[20]
1702	Charles Lennox, 1st Duke of Richmond	Sussex	The sport's earliest known leading patron.[21]
1709	William Bedle	Dartford and Kent	Bedle's 1768 obituary states that he was the "most expert cricket player in England".[22]
1717	Thomas Marchant	Hurstpierpoint, Sussex	Perhaps not a player himself, though his son Will was, Marchant was a Sussex farmer who kept a diary in which he made numerous references to cricket from 1717 to 1727.[23]
1724	Edwin Stead	Kent	A leading patron of Kent cricket who died young in 1735.[24]
	William Goodwin	Sunbury and Middlesex	Described as "able to play at Cricket with most People". Sunbury had a noted team.[25]
1725	Sir William Gage, 7th Baronet	Slindon and Sussex	The two leading patrons of Sussex cricket in general and of the Slindon club in particular. The earliest known mention of both in a cricket connection is via a letter sent by Gage to Richmond in July 1725.[26]
	Charles Lennox, 2nd Duke of Richmond
	Edmund Chapman	Chertsey and Surrey	His 1763 obituary described him as "one of the most dextrous cricket players in England".[27]

1726 to 1740

year	name	club/county	notes
1726	Perry	London	Both took part in the earliest known single wicket match. The players were well-known as the contemporary report calls them "the noted Perry of London and the famous Piper of Hampton".[28]
	Piper	Hampton
1727	Alan Brodrick, 2nd Viscount Midleton	Surrey	A Surrey patron who was partly responsible for drawing up the first known rules of the game.[29]
	Thomas Waymark	Sussex and Berkshire	Accounted the first great all-rounder, Waymark played for over 20 years and was noted for his "extraordinary agility and dexterity".[30]
1729	John Chitty	Surrey	The owner of what is now the world's oldest surviving cricket bat (pictured), which is kept in the museum at The Oval.[31]
1730	Mr Andrews	Sunbury and Surrey	A Surrey patron who challenged the Duke of Richmond's team in 1730.[32]
1731	Frederick, Prince of Wales	Surrey	Heir to the throne who became very interested in cricket when he first came to England from Hanover and was a leading patron for the rest of his life.[33]
	Tim Coleman	London	Described in a contemporary report as "the famous Tim Coleman".[33]
	Captain Beak	none	Both took part in an early single wicket contest, though it was a minor event.[34]
	Lieutenant Coke
	Thomas Chambers	Middlesex	A Middlesex patron who challenged the Duke of Richmond's team in 1731.[34] Chambers is believed to have been a forebear of Lord Frederick Beauclerk.[35]
1732	Christopher Jones	London	Keeper of the Artillery Ground.[36]
1734	Charles Sackville, Lord Middlesex	Kent	An occasional patron of Kent cricket.[37]
	Lord John Philip Sackville	Kent	A leading patron of Kent cricket who was also a noted player.[37]
1735	Cook	Brentford	Described by a contemporary reporter as "one of the best bowlers in England".[38]
	Dunn	London	Evidently a top order batsman who is mentioned in three match reports.[38]
	Ellis		Described by a contemporary reporter as London's "best bowler".[38]
	Wakeland		Made two known appearances in single wicket contests.[39]
	Wheatley		Evidently a top order batsman, known to have been a distiller by trade.[38]
	Marshall		Recorded in one match in 1735.[40]
	Pool		Recorded in one match in 1735.[40]
	Jervoise	Croydon and Surrey	A Surrey patron who was active in 1735.[41]
	Wood	Woodcot, Surrey	Mentioned briefly in a 1735 report. There were apparently two Woods of Woodcot.[38]
1736	George Oldner	London	Appeared in an important single wicket contest in 1736.[39]
1737	John Boots	Sussex	Village cricket player who died during a match after colliding with another player.[42]
	Charles Spencer, 3rd Duke of Marlborough	London	Patron and team captain.[43]
1739	John Bowra	Bromley	Known as the "Kentish Shepherd" and believed to be the father of William Bowra.[44]
1740	Darville	Berkshire	Apparently Thomas Waymark's employer at Bray Mills in Berkshire. A patron who is recorded playing in three single wicket matches in 1748.[45]
	John Newland	Slindon	Brother of Richard Newland. First mentioned in correspondence to Thomas Pelham-Holles, 1st Duke of Newcastle by the 2nd Duke of Richmond as someone "that you must remember".[46]
	George Smith	London	A publican who was also the groundskeeper of the Artillery Ground. Although he was an occasional player in matches, he was better known for his financial problems, and his battles against bankruptcy.[47]

1741 to 1745

year	name	club/county	notes
1741	John Russell, 4th Duke of Bedford	Bedfordshire	All were patrons who captained their county teams.[48]
	George Montagu-Dunk, 2nd Earl of Halifax	Northamptonshire
	John Montagu, 4th Earl of Sandwich	Huntingdonshire
	Richard Grenville	Buckinghamshire
1743	Richard Newland	Slindon	One of the most outstanding players of the sport's pioneering era before the introduction of the pitched delivery. Made the highest known individual score of the period.[49]
	John Bryant	Bromley and Kent	Brother of James Bryant. One of the best players for the Kent county team and a key member of Bromley Cricket Club.[50]
	John Cutbush	Maidstone and Kent	Rated among "the six best players in England".[50]
	Ridgeway	Sussex	Rated among "the six best players in England".[50]
	Robert Colchin	Bromley and Kent	Also known as "Long Robin", a controversial figure who was held to be both the best batter and all-rounder of his time. An outstanding single wicket player, and a very influential match organiser.[45]
	Tom Peake	Chelsfield and Kent	Kent player who was frequently called upon as a given man.[45]
	Val Romney	Sevenoaks and Kent	Noted for his leadership and described by James Love as "a mighty player".[50]
	William Hodsoll	Dartford and Kent	An outstanding bowler who was rated among "the six best players in England".[50]
	William Sawyer	Richmond and Surrey	Rated among "the six best players in England".[50]
	Lord Montfort	London	Patron and team captain who led London, Middlesex & Surrey in May 1743.[51]
	Stephen Rose	Chertsey	An army deserter reported to be "a famous cricket player".[52]
1744	Adam Newland	Slindon	Brother of Richard Newland. Noted member of the Slindon team.[49]
	Little Bennett	London	Probably brothers and noted in contemporary reports to have been two of the best batsmen of their time.[53]
	Tall Bennett
	Collins	Surrey	Mentioned in 1744 and 1748; played for London against Slindon in the earliest match that has a surviving scorecard.[47]
	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.[47]
	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.[47]
	Green	Amberley and Sussex	Recorded in three matches to 1747.[47]
	Howlett	London	Made two known appearances in 1744 and 1745.[47]
	James Bryant	Bromley and Kent	Brother of John Bryant. One of the best players for the Kent county team and a key member of Bromley Cricket Club.[47]
	James Love	Richmond	A playing member at Richmond but better known as a poet.[54]
	Joe Harris	Addington and Surrey	Brother of John Harris and recorded until 1756. Made 26 known appearances in single wicket and 15 in matches.[47]
	John Harris	Addington and Surrey	Brother of Joe Harris and recorded until 1754. Made 11 known appearances in single wicket and 12 in matches.[47]
	John Mills	Horsmonden and Kent	A noted bowler who played for Kent against England.[54]
	Kipps	Eltham and Kent	A noted wicketkeeper who is recorded four times to 1747.[54]
	Maynard	Surrey	Recorded in 12 matches to 1750.[47]
	Norris	London	Made two known appearances in 1744 and 1745.[47]
	Stephen Dingate	Reigate, Surrey	Believed to have been a barber by trade, one of the leading single wicket players of the 1740s.[47]
	Stevens	Surrey	Two players called Stevens were due to play in the London v Slindon match on 2 June 1744, but did not take part. They are not mentioned in other sources.[47]
	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".[47]
	Andrews	Slindon and Sussex	All played in the London v Slindon match.[47]
	Butler	London
	Hodder
	Bartram	Kent	All three played for Kent against England. Mills is believed to have been the brother of John Mills.[54]
	Danes
	Mills
1745	Broad	Addington and Surrey	Mentioned in match reports from 1745 to 1750.[49]
	Howard	Kent	Mentioned in match reports from 1745 to 1752.[49]
	Robert Lascoe	Bromley and Kent	Mentioned in match reports from 1745 to 1748.[49]
	William Anderson	London	Mentioned in match reports from 1745 to 1752. It is believed a benefit match was held for him in 1753.[49]
	Hodge	Long Robin's XI	All were named ahead of the Long Robin v Newland match.[49]
	Jacob Mann	Richard Newland's XI
	Martin
	Norton

1746 to 1760

year	name	club/county	notes
1747	John Bell	Dartford and Kent	Noted wicketkeeper.[45]
	Thomas Bell		Brother of the above. Condemned to death in 1762 but later reprieved.[45]
	John Mansfield	Sevenoaks and Kent	Batsman noted for single wicket appearances.[45]
	John Larkin	Hadlow and Kent	Noted single wicket performer.[45]
	Jones		Mentioned in match reports from 1747 to 1749.[45]
	Joseph Rudd	Sussex	Noted single wicket performers.[55]
	Pye
	Robert Eures	Bexley and Kent	Known to have been a good batsman who played for England teams.[45]
	Thomas Jure	London	Mentioned in match reports from 1747 to 1749.[45]
	Allen	Kent	Recorded in one match in 1747.[45]
1748	Durling	Addington and Surrey	Mentioned in match reports from 1748 to 1761.[56]
	John Capon	London and Surrey	Mentioned in match reports from 1748 to 1755.[56]
	George Carter	London	Recorded four times from 1748 to 1749.[56]
	Walker		Recorded in one single wicket match in 1748.[56]
1749	John Frame	Dartford and Kent	Arguably the first great fast bowler in cricket history and had a long career from 1749 to at least 1774.[57][58]
	Perry	Surrey	Mentioned in match reports from 1749 to 1755. Has been confused with the 1726 player, who could have been a relation.[58]
	Humphreys		Recorded in two matches in 1749.[58]
	John Colchin	Bromley	Probably Robert Colchin's brother; recorded in two matches in 1749.[58]
	Joseph Hitches	Colchin's XI	Recorded three times in 1749.[58]
	Thomas Southam
	Robinson	Faulkner's XI
1750	Garrett	Kent	Recorded in five matches from 1750 to 1751.[59]
	Rawlings		Mentioned in three match reports to 1751.[59]
	Robert Bartholomew	Surrey	Possibly part of a cricketing family, he was also an innkeeper.[59]
	Thomas Brandon	Dartford and Kent	A noted batsman who was mentioned in match reports from 1750 to 1759.[59]
	Frame	Surrey	John Frame's brother; recorded in three matches in 1750.[59]
1751	Stephen Harding	Thursley and Chertsey	Hard-hitting batsman mentioned in match reports from 1751 to 1765.[59]
	Stephens	Dartford	Mentioned in match reports from 1751 to 1759.[59]
	Mathews	England	Recorded in two matches in 1751.[59]
	Stone	Kent	Both were recorded in two matches in 1751.[59]
	Wilden
1753	William King	London	Noted as a leading London player in 1753 and 1754.[60]
1754	Parr	Chatham	Recorded in one single wicket match in 1754.[61]
1755	Clowder	London	Recorded in one single wicket match in 1755.[56]
1759	Gill	Bucks and England	Noted wicketkeeper who was still playing in 1772.[62]
	John Edmeads	Chertsey and Surrey	Mentioned in match reports until 1779.[63]
	John Haynes	Surrey	Mentioned in match reports from 1759 to 1761.[62]
	Thomas Woods	Chertsey and Surrey	Only definite reference is in 1761 but probably played in 1759 for England. There is confusion in sources with other players named "Woods", "John Wood" and "Thomas Wood".[62]
	Burchwood	Dartford and Kent	Noted bowler who played for Dartford in their three 1759 matches.[62]
	Allen	Middlesex	All played in the 1759 Dartford v England tri-series. There has been speculation that Nyland might have been one of Richard Newland or Richard Nyren.[62]
	Cheeseman	Sussex
	Gascoigne	London
	Nyland	Sussex
	Saunders	Berkshire
	Goldstone	Dartford and Kent
	Killick
	Potter
	Wakelin

1761 to 1770

year	name	club/county	notes
1761	Shock White	Brentford	Definitely active between 1761 and 1773, but he has been confused with Thomas "Daddy" White.[64]
	Charles Sears	Chertsey	Played two matches in 1761.[64]
	William Piper		Appeared in one match in 1761 as a given man for Chertsey.[64]
1764	John Small	Hambledon and Hampshire	Described by John Nyren as "a star of the first magnitude",[65] master batsman John Small is buried in St Peter's churchyard (pictured) in his home village of Petersfield.[66]
	John Bayton		Noted batsman of the late 1760s whose career apparently ended in the early 1770s.[67]
	Peter Stewart		Nicknamed "Buck", a humorist who was a Hambledon mainstay through the club's formative period.[63]
	Richard Nyren		Cricket's earliest known left-hander. An outstanding all-rounder who captained the Hambledon team in its heyday.[62]
	Squire Thomas Land		Perhaps the original patron of Hambledon cricket who seems to have left the scene before the club was founded.[67]
	Thomas Baldwin	Chertsey	Active in the 1760s.[68]
	Thomas Ridge	Hambledon and Hampshire	Prominent Hambledon Club member who played in a number of matches to 1775.[67]
	William Barber		Noted bowler, probably fast-medium, who played until 1777.[69]
	William Hogsflesh		Noted bowler, probably fast-medium, who played until 1775.[70]
	Edward Woolgar		A tentative reference connects these three with one match in 1764.[67]
	John Woolgar
	Osmond
1765	Richard Edmeads	Chertsey	Brother of John Edmeads; recorded in one match in 1765.[71]
1767	Edward "Curry" Aburrow	Hambledon and Hampshire	Son of "Cuddy" Aburrow. A Hampshire regular to 1782.[72]
	Henry Rowett	Caterham and Surrey	Patron of Surrey cricket who was chiefly associated with the Caterham club in the 1760s.[22]
	Sir Horatio Mann, 2nd Baronet	Kent	A leading patron of Kent cricket.[72]
	Tom Sueter	Hambledon and Hampshire	Outstanding wicketkeeper-batsman, especially noted for his front foot play.[73]
1768	John Frederick Sackville, 3rd Duke of Dorset	Kent	A leading patron of Kent cricket and a useful player in his own right.[74][75]
	Bellchambers	Surrey	Recorded in two matches to 1769.[74]
	James Fuggles	Kent	Kent batsman who was last recorded in 1773.[74]
	John Boorman	Kent and Essex	Prominent bowler who played in matches till 1793.[62]
	Joseph Miller	Kent	Outstanding batsman who was active till 1783. Some confusion exists re his first name but the majority of sources call him Joseph.[22][76]
	Richard May		Noted bowler of the 1760s and 1770s. Brother of Thomas May.[77]
	Thomas May		Batsman who played until 1773. Brother of Richard May.[77]
	Richard Simmons		One of the earliest well-known wicketkeepers. Active till 1779.[22]
	Will Palmer	Kent and Surrey	Noted batsman who played in matches to 1776.[22]
	Birchet	Surrey	Recorded in two matches in 1768.[74]
	Brobham	Dartford and Kent	Recorded in one single wicket match in 1768 and a match for Dartford in 1775.[74]
	Foule	Caterham	Recorded as top scorer in one match in 1768.[22]
	Mandy	Kent	Recorded in one single wicket match in 1768.[74]
	Muddle		Recorded in two matches in 1768.[74]
	Smailes	Caterham	Recorded in two matches from 1768 to 1769.[22]
	Golding	Bourne	All are named in a tentative reference to the Bourne v Caterham match in 1768.[22]
	Love
	Ward
	Blake	Caterham
	Carpenter
	Edward Francis
	T. Francis
	Miller
	Twinker
1769	Lumpy Stevens	Chertsey and Surrey	One of the greatest bowlers of the underarm era. Had a long career from c. 1756 to 1789.[78]
	Jasper Fish	Kent	Recorded in three matches between 1769 and 1777.[79]
	John Wood (Kent)		Noted bowler who was active until 1783. Sources have often failed to disambiguate him re John Wood of Surrey.[79]
	George Leer	Hambledon and Hampshire	Middle order batsman who was mainly noted for his fielding.[72]
	John Minshull	Kent and Surrey	Scorer of the earliest known century in all forms of cricket, and a noted batsman in the 1760s and 1770s.[80]
	Thomas Brett	Hambledon and Hampshire	Outstanding fast bowler who was acclaimed for his combination of speed and accuracy.[81]
	Page	Chertsey and Surrey	Active till 1773.[79]
	Thomas Pattenden	Kent	Played in over thirty matches from 1772 to 1783. In some scorecards, he cannot be disambiguated from his brother William.[79]
	Thomas Quiddington	Chertsey and Surrey	Noted bowler mentioned in reports from 1769 to 1784. His name has also been spelt Quiddenden.[79]
	John Wood (Surrey)		Noted all-rounder who was active until 1780. Sources have often failed to disambiguate him re John Wood of Kent and S&B always calls him Thomas Wood.[79]
	William Bowra	Kent and Sussex	Probably the son of John Bowra. Sound middle-order batsman who is believed to have been a good close fielder.[82]
	Glazier	Hambledon and Hampshire	All were recorded as playing in the 1769 Caterham v Hambledon match.[79]
	Purdy
	Shepherd	Caterham and Surrey
	Wessing
	S. Bartram	Duke of Dorset's XI	All were named in Dorset's XI against Wrotham in 1769.[83]
	Bishop
	Oliver
	Shearcy
	Whitting

1771 to 1775

year	name	club/county	notes
1771	Reverend Reynell Cotton	Hambledon	President of the Hambledon Club in 1773 and 1774. Best known for composing the Hambledon Club Song c. 1771. It is not certain if he was ever a player.[84]
	John Thomas de Burgh	Hambledon and Hampshire	Occasional player in the early 1770s. Became the 13th Earl of Clanricarde.[85]
	Bamford	Nottingham	Members of the Nottingham teams that played Sheffield in 1771 and 1772.[86]
	Coleman
	Collishaw
	Gladwin
	Huythwaite
	Loughman
	Mew
	Rawson
	Roe
	Spurr
	Stocks
	Troop
	Turner
	Osguthorpe	Sheffield	The only Sheffield player known to have played against Nottingham.[86]
	Harry Peckham	Sussex	Occasional player who contributed to the 1774 Laws of Cricket.[85]
	Thomas White	Chertsey and Surrey	Noted all-rounder who instigated the Monster Bat Controversy. Retired in 1779.[87]
1772	Childs	Surrey	Recorded in nine matches from 1772 to 1774 but believed to have been active long before 1772.[88]
	"Mr Ellis"	Hampshire and Sussex	A now unknown figure who was mentioned as the subject of a bet re how many runs he might score in comparison with the Duke of Dorset in a Kent versus Hampshire and Sussex match.[89]
	William Yalden	Chertsey and Surrey	Outstanding wicketkeeper-batsman. Made at least fifty known appearances to 1783.[90]
1773	William Bartholomew		A member of the Bartholomew family, recorded in 1773.[91]
	Charles Bennet, 4th Earl of Tankerville	Surrey	A leading patron of Surrey cricket who employed Lumpy as a gardener.[92]
	Charles Powlett	Hambledon Club	A key benefactor and patron at Hambledon. A member of the Laws committee in 1774.[93]
	Constantine Phillips	Surrey	Made 5 known appearances to 1778.[91]
	Edward Hussey	Kent	A useful batsman who had a long but sporadic career from 1773 to 1797.[94]
	Francis Booker		Left-handed batsman and noted fielder who played regularly until 1790.[88]
	George Louch	Kent and Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC)	An occasional patron who was one of the most prolific amateur players, and an outstanding fielder.[95] Strongly associated with Chatham Cricket Club, whose ground was known as "George Louch's field".[96]
	Henry Attfield	Surrey	Also known as "Field", his career seems to have ended early at age 26 in 1782.[91]
	James Aylward	Hambledon and Hampshire	Noted batsman who had a long career and made a known record score of 167 in 1777.[97]
	James Bayley		Made four known appearances from 1773 to 1783.[91]
	John Wheeler	Kent	Made two known appearances in 1773 and 1775.[91]
	M. Lewis (Surrey)	Surrey	Amateur who made two known appearances in 1773.[91]
	Richard Francis	Hambledon and Hampshire	Regular player for Hampshire until 1793.[88]
	Richard Newman	Essex, Kent and MCC	Amateur batsman who was active from 1773 to 1793.[91]
	Richard Purchase	Hambledon and Hampshire	Noted slow bowler who had a long career from 1773 until 1803, though he was absent from 1775 to 1780 inclusive.[91]
	Samuel Colchin	Kent	All-rounder who was active until 1779. Nephew of Robert Colchin.[91]
	John Brewer Davis		Recorded twice in 1773.[91]
	Robert Stone	Surrey	Amateur batsman who played eight times until 1780. May have reappeared in 1790, if the same man.[91]
	T. Davis	Hambledon and Hampshire	Amateur batsman who made 7 known appearances for Hampshire until 1776.[91]
	William Bullen	Kent	Outstanding all-rounder who was prolific until 1800. First bowler ever to be definitely credited with 5 wickets in an innings.[97]
	Blake	Surrey	Recorded in one match in 1773.[91]
	Horne	Hambledon	All recorded as playing for "Hambledon Town" in 1773.[91]
	James Cotton
	Lawrence
	M. Lewis (Hambledon)
	Read	England	Recorded in one match in 1773.[98]
1774	Muggeridge	Chertsey and Surrey	Bowler who was active until 1784.[57]
	Waller	Kent	Recorded in two matches in 1774.[57]
	William Brazier	Kent	All-rounder who played in matches from 1774 to 1794, but was absent 1777–1781.[99]
	Richard Miller	Surrey	Possibly a brother of Joseph Miller; recorded in one match in 1774.[57]
1775	Tom Taylor	Hampshire	Outstanding all-rounder, especially noted for the cut shot and brilliant fielding.[70]
	William Edmeads	Surrey	Younger brother of John Edmeads. Recorded in one match in 1775.[100]
	Francisaka Frances	Hampshire	Possibly a brother of Richard Francis; recorded in one match in 1775.[101]
	Rev. Charles Bartholomew	Chertsey	One of the Bartholomew family who played in the 1770s, and perhaps earlier.[102]
	Thomas Swayne		Made three recorded appearances to 1778.[103]
	Briggs	Risborough	Recorded as a given man in one match in 1775.[104]
	Daniel Etheridge	Chertsey	Recorded in three matches in 1775.[103]
	Faggoter		Played against Coulsdon in 1775.[103]
	Richard Lipscomb		Recorded in two matches in 1775.[103]
	Ashby aka Ashley	Coulsdon	All played against Chertsey in 1775. Ashby is known to have been an amateur player. Henry Palmer was possibly related to Will Palmer.[103]
	Benick
	Burkin
	Henry Palmer
	Bassden	London	All were recorded as playing in the 1775 London v Dartford match.[103]
	Birdeye
	Warren
	Baldwin	Dartford
	Hammond
	Scuder
	Goulson
	Lintot
	Sanham
	Terry
	Richardson

1776 to 1780

year	name	club/county	notes
1776	Richard Aubrey Veck	Hampshire	Noted batsman who was a Hampshire regular until 1784 when he quit the game for, apparently, business reasons.[82]
1777	Lamborn	Surrey and Hampshire	Spin bowler who was a great innovator. Known as the "Little Farmer".[105]
	Mills	Surrey	Bowler who was active until 1781.[106]
	Noah Mann	Hampshire	Outstanding all-rounder noted for his athleticism. Career ended tragically when he was killed by fire.[69]
	Pennell	Kent	Made five known appearances to 1781.[107]
	Richard Hosmer		Amateur batsman. Active until 1791.[80]
	Richard Stanford		Amateur batsman. Active until 1787.[80]
	Robert Clifford		Prolific all-rounder, especially noted for his slow bowling. Active until 1792.[105]
	Townsend		Recorded in seven matches to 1786.[108]
	William Bedster	Surrey and Middlesex	Noted batsman who played regularly to 1794. Was at one time the Earl of Tankerville's butler.[107]
	William Pattenden	Kent	Occasional player to 1781. Younger brother of Thomas Pattenden.[80]
	Baker	Hampshire	Recorded in one match in 1777.[107]
	Holnessaka Houness	Kent	Recorded in one match in 1777 and in one match in 1781.[109]
	Bidewell		Recorded in one match in 1777.[109]
	Oakley
1778	Boltwood	England	Recorded in one match in 1778.[110]
	Henry Bonham	Hampshire	Amateur player; recorded in one match in 1778.[106]
	Irons	England	All were recorded as members of an England team in 1778.[110]
	Mansfield
	Polden
1779	Berwick	Surrey and Hampshire	Made six known appearances from 1779 to 1780.[111]
1780	Gibson	Kent	Mentioned in two matches in 1780.[80]
	John Freemantle	Hampshire	Elder brother of Andrew Freemantle. Fast bowler who had a short career to 1782.[112]
	Benjamin Remingtonaka Rimmington	Kent	One of three brothers who collectively played until 1791. Sources often fail to disambiguate between them.[80]
	Thomas Remingtonaka Rimmington

1781 to 1787

year	name	club/county	notes
1781	Hogben	Kent	Made six known appearances in 1781 and 1782.[113]
	J. Martin	Essex	Professional bowler active until 1793.[92]
	Michael Remingtonaka Rimmington	Kent	One of three brothers who collectively played until 1791. Sources often fail to disambiguate between them.[80]
	Webb		Made five known appearances in 1781.[92]
	Hodges		Recorded in one match in 1781.[92]
	T. Skinner	Hampshire
1782	David Harris	Hampshire	One of the greatest bowlers of the underarm era. Active to 1798.[114]
	"Little" Joey Ring	Kent	Noted batsman who played until 1796.[114]
	W. Hall	Hampshire	Recorded in one match in 1782.[114]
1783	Couchman	Kent	Made two known appearances to 1786.[108]
	James Wells	Surrey	Brother of the more famous John Wells. Made over twenty known appearances to 1800.[75]
	Stephen Amherst	Kent	An occasional patron of Kent cricket who was Thomas Boxall's employer.[108]
1784	J. Cole	Hampshire	Two known appearances to 1788.[115]
	Davidson	Essex	Three known appearances to 1787.[115]
	Jack Small	Hampshire	Son of John Small and close friend of John Nyren. A sound batsman but overshadowed by his father.[115][116]
	Harry Walker	Hampshire and Surrey	Brother of Tom Walker. He was a regular player until 1802. Batsman who was noted for his use of the cut shot.[117]
1785	Charles Lennox, 4th Duke of Richmond	White Conduit Club (WCC) and MCC	Foremost patrons in the early years of MCC. Both were also good batsmen.[118]
	George Finch, 9th Earl of Winchilsea
	Barker	Essex	Amateur player. Recorded in four matches to 1793.[119]
	John Dampier	WCC and MCC	Amateur player. Recorded in three matches to 1787.[120]
	Lord Strathavon		Amateur player. Recorded in three matches to 1792.[120]
	George Henry Monson		Amateur player. Recorded in ten matches to 1792.[117]
	Charles Monson		Amateur player. Brother of G. H. Monson. Army captain who was recorded in one match in 1785.[117]
	George T. Boult	Berkshire and Middlesex	Amateur player. Recorded in over twenty known matches to 1795.[119]
	George Talbot	WCC and MCC	Amateur player. Recorded in over twenty known matches to 1791.[120]
	Gilbert East	Berkshire	Amateur all-rounder. Recorded in twelve matches to 1794.[117]
	Henry Hervey Aston	WCC and Hampshire	Amateur player; became an army officer and was killed in a duel in 1798. Recorded in thirteen matches to 1793.[120]
	John Gouldstoneaka Goldswain	Essex	Recorded in twelve matches to 1793.[119]
	J. Russell		Amateur player; recorded in nine matches to 1793.[119]
	J. Wyatt		Amateur player; recorded in seven matches to 1787.[119]
	Peachey	WCC and MCC	Amateur player; recorded in two matches in 1785.[120]
	R. Whitehead		Both were occasional patrons and original members of MCC.[120]
	Sir Peter Burrell
	C. Slater	Berkshire	Amateur player; recorded in four matches to 1787.[119]
	Tyson	WCC and MCC	Amateur player; recorded in seven matches to 1794.[120]
	Billy Beldham	Hampshire and Surrey	One of the greatest players of the pre-roundarm era. Active from 1787 to 1821.[121]
	William Fennex	Middlesex	Noted all-rounder and fast bowler whose best years were the 1790s.[122]
	Belch	Berkshire	All were recorded as playing in the 1785 Berkshire v Essex match. Norman is known to have been an amateur.[119]
	Spriggs
	Fothers	Essex
	J. Norman
	Kingsmill
	Dyke	Kent	All are known to have been amateurs who took part in two "gentlemen only" matches in 1785.[120]
	Edwards
	Smith
	Thompson
	Willard
	Wilmot
1786	Collier	Kent	Recorded in one match in 1786.[123]
	Henry Crozoer		All-rounder recorded until 1790.[124]
	Finch		Recorded in one match in 1786.[124]
	Isaac Hatch		Amateur player; recorded in one match in 1786.[125]
	Hawkins	Hampshire	Amateur batsman recorded in four matches to 1787.[126]
	John Nyren		Son of Richard Nyren and an occasional player who is better known as the author of The Cricketers of My Time.[126][127]
	Tom Walker	Hampshire and Surrey	Outstanding all-rounder who was noted for his determined, defensive batting. Known as "Old Everlasting", he was a leading player until he retired in 1810.[125]
1787	Thomas Lord	Middlesex	Lord opened his original ground at the beginning of the 1787 season and the first record of him as a player is on 31 May 1787 when he played for Middlesex against Essex on his own ground. Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) was founded soon afterwards and the earliest known match played by an MCC team was at Lord's on 30 July 1787.[128][129]

See also

• History of cricket to 1725
• History of English cricket (1726–1750)
• History of English cricket (1751–1775)
• History of English cricket (1776–1800)
• List of English cricketers (1787–1825)
• List of English cricketers (1826–1840)

Footnotes

1. Some eleven-a-side matches played from 1772 to 1863 have been rated "first-class" by certain sources.^[1] However, the term only came into common use around 1864, when overarm bowling was legalised. It was formally defined as a standard by a meeting at Lord's, in May 1894, of Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) and the county clubs which were then competing in the County Championship. The ruling was effective from the beginning of the 1895 season, but pre-1895 matches of the same standard have no official definition of status because the ruling is not retrospective.^[2] Matches of a similar standard since the beginning of the 1864 season have an unofficial first-class status.^[3] Pre-1864 matches which are included in the ACS' "Important Match Guide" may generally be regarded as important or, at least, historically significant.^[4] For further information, see First-class cricket.
2. Inline citations reference the debut or earliest known mention of each player.
3. Note that surviving match records to 1825 are incomplete, and any statistical compilation of a player's career in that period is based on known data. Match scorecards were not always created, or have been lost, and the matches themselves were not always recorded in the press or other media. Scorecard data was not comprehensive: e.g., bowling analyses lacked balls bowled and runs conceded; bowlers were not credited with wickets when the batsman was caught or stumped; in many cards, the means of dismissal were omitted.

References

1. "First-Class Matches in England in 1772". CricketArchive. Retrieved 29 November 2025.
2. Wisden (1948). Preston, Hubert (ed.). Wisden Cricketers' Almanack (85th ed.). London: Sporting Handbooks Ltd. p. 813. OCLC 851705816.
3. ACS 1982, pp. 4–5.
4. ACS 1981, pp. 1–40.
5. Altham & Swanton 1962, p. 21.
6. McCann 2004, p. xxxi.
7. Altham & Swanton 1962, p. 22.
8. McCann 2004, p. xxxiii.
9. Major 2007, p. 28.
10. Bowen 1970, p. 262.
11. Major 2007, p. 32.
12. McCann 2004, p. xxxiv.
13. Underdown 2000, p. 15.
14. Wisden 1963, p. 178.
15. Underdown 2000, p. 13.
16. Major 2007, p. 31.
17. Maun 2009, p. 15.
18. Haygarth 1996, p. vi.
19. McCann 2004, p. xl.
20. Major 2007, p. 37.
21. McCann 2004, p. 1.
22. Buckley 1935, p. 48.
23. McCann 2004, pp. 1–5.
24. Waghorn 2005, p. 6.
25. Maun 2009, p. 29.
26. McCann 2004, p. 4.
27. Waghorn 2005, p. 31.
28. Buckley 1935, p. 3.
29. McCann 2004, pp. 6–7.
30. Major 2007, p. 47.
31. Bowen 1970, p. 263.
32. Waghorn 1899, p. 1.
33. Waghorn 2005, p. 10.
34. Waghorn 1899, p. 3.
35. Major 2007, p. 56.
36. Buckley 1937, p. 1.
37. Waghorn 1899, p. 7.
38. Waghorn 1899, p. 8.
39. Waghorn 1899, p. 13.
40. Buckley 1935, p. 11.
41. Buckley 1935, p. 10.
42. McCann 2004, p. 16.
43. Waghorn 1899, p. 18.
44. Buckley 1935, p. 15.
45. Ashley-Cooper, F. S. (25 January 1900). "At the Sign of the Wicket". Cricket: A Weekly Record of the Game. XIX (532). Cricket Magazine: 37 – via ACS.
46. Maun 2009, p. 99.
47. McCann 2004, p. 26.
48. Maun 2009, pp. 106–107.
49. Ashley-Cooper, F. S. (25 January 1900). "At the Sign of the Wicket". Cricket: A Weekly Record of the Game. XIX (532). Cricket Magazine: 36 – via ACS.
50. Buckley 1935, p. 17.
51. Waghorn 2005, p. 13.
52. Maun 2009, p. 117.
53. McCann 2004, pp. 26–27.
54. Haygarth 1996, p. 1.
55. McCann 2004, p. 41.
56. Ashley-Cooper, F. S. (12 April 1900). "At the Sign of the Wicket". Cricket: A Weekly Record of the Game. XIX (533). Cricket Magazine: 52 – via ACS.
57. Haygarth 1996, p. 18.
58. Ashley-Cooper, F. S. (12 April 1900). "At the Sign of the Wicket". Cricket: A Weekly Record of the Game. XIX (533). Cricket Magazine: 53 – via ACS.
59. Ashley-Cooper, F. S. (19 April 1900). "At the Sign of the Wicket". Cricket: A Weekly Record of the Game. XIX (533). Cricket Magazine: 68 – via ACS.
60. Buckley 1935, p. 33.
61. Waghorn 1899, p. 53.
62. Haygarth 1996, p. 2.
63. Haygarth 1996, p. 43.
64. Buckley 1935, p. 39.
65. Nyren 1998, p. 57.
66. Haygarth 1996, pp. 241–242.
67. Mote 1997, p. 164.
68. Waghorn 1899, p. 57.
69. Haygarth 1996, p. 34.
70. Haygarth 1996, p. 23.
71. Waghorn 1899, p. 59.
72. Haygarth 1996, p. 55.
73. Haygarth 1996, p. 126.
74. Buckley 1935, p. 47.
75. Haygarth 1996, p. 59.
76. Haygarth 1996, p. 58.
77. Haygarth 1996, p. 4.
78. Haygarth 1996, p. 98.
79. Waghorn 2005, pp. 31–33.
80. Haygarth 1996, p. 44.
81. Haygarth 1996, p. 39.
82. Haygarth 1996, p. 27.
83. Bowen 1970, p. 56.
84. Mote 1997, pp. 54, 402–405.
85. McCann 2004, p. 77.
86. Buckley 1937, pp. 6–7.
87. Haygarth 1996, p. 40.
88. Haygarth 1996, p. 7.
89. Buckley 1937, p. 7.
90. Haygarth 1996, p. 60.
91. Haygarth 1996, p. 12.
92. Haygarth 1996, p. 48.
93. Ashley-Cooper 1924, p. 155.
94. Haygarth 1996, p. 217.
95. Haygarth 1996, p. 227.
96. Waghorn 1899, pp. 78–79.
97. Haygarth 1996, p. 8.
98. Haygarth 1996, pp. 12–14.
99. Haygarth 1996, pp. 18–19.
100. Haygarth 1996, p. 74.
101. Haygarth 1996, p. 24.
102. Buckley 1935, pp. 74–76.
103. Buckley 1935, p. 74.
104. Waghorn 2005, p. 43.
105. Haygarth 1996, p. 33.
106. Haygarth 1996, p. 38.
107. Haygarth 1996, p. 36.
108. Haygarth 1996, p. 56.
109. Ashley-Cooper 1929, p. 72.
110. Buckley 1935, p. 86.
111. Haygarth 1996, p. 41.
112. Haygarth 1996, p. 45.
113. Haygarth 1996, pp. 48–50.
114. Haygarth 1996, p. 52.
115. Haygarth 1996, p. 61.
116. Haygarth 1996, p. 364.
117. Haygarth 1996, p. 62.
118. Haygarth 1996, p. 63.
119. Waghorn 2005, p. 64.
120. Waghorn 2005, p. 65.
121. Haygarth 1996, p. 72.
122. Haygarth 1996, p. 67.
123. Haygarth 1996, p. 68.
124. Haygarth 1996, p. 66.
125. Haygarth 1996, p. 64.
126. Haygarth 1996, p. 65.
127. Haygarth 1996, p. 400.
128. Major 2007, pp. 106–107.
129. Buckley 1935, pp. 110–115.

Bibliography

• ACS (1981). A Guide to Important Cricket Matches Played in the British Isles 1709–1863. Nottingham: ACS. OCLC 85045528.
• ACS (1982). A Guide to FC Cricket Matches Played in the British Isles. Nottingham: ACS. OCLC 10586869.
• Altham, H. S.; Swanton, E. W. (1962). A History of Cricket, Volume 1 (to 1914) (5th ed.). London: George Allen & Unwin. OCLC 894274808.
• Ashley-Cooper, F. S. (1924). Hambledon Cricket Chronicle: 1772–1796. London: Jenkins. OCLC 38498574.
• Ashley-Cooper, F. S. (1929). Kent Cricket Matches, 1719–1880. Canterbury: Gibbs & Sons. OCLC 220674085.
• Bowen, Rowland (1970). Cricket: A History of its Growth and Development. London: Eyre & Spottiswoode. ISBN 978-04-13278-60-9.
• Buckley, G. B. (1935). Fresh Light on 18th Century Cricket. Birmingham: Cotterell & Co. OCLC 23450280.
• Buckley, G. B. (1937). Fresh Light on pre-Victorian Cricket. Birmingham: Cotterell & Co. OCLC 23469107.
• Haygarth, Arthur (1996) [1862]. Scores & Biographies, Volume 1 (1744–1826). Kennington: Frederick Lillywhite. ISBN 978-19-00592-23-9.
• Major, John (2007). More Than A Game. London: HarperCollins. ISBN 978-00-07183-64-7.
• Maun, Ian (2009). From Commons to Lord's, Volume One: 1700 to 1750. Cambridge: Roger Heavens. ISBN 978-19-00592-52-9.
• McCann, Tim (2004). Sussex Cricket in the Eighteenth Century. Lewes: Sussex Record Society. ISBN 978-08-54450-55-8.
• Mote, Ashley (1997). The Glory Days of Cricket. Robson. ISBN 978-1-8610-5111-0.
• Nyren, John (1998) [1832]. Mote, Ashley (ed.). The Cricketers of my Time. London: Robson Publishing. ISBN 978-18-61051-68-4.
• Underdown, David (2000). Start of Play. Westminster: Allen Lane. ISBN 978-07-13993-30-1.
• Waghorn, H. T. (1899). Cricket Scores, Notes, &c. From 1730–1773. Edinburgh: Blackwood. OCLC 1086375331.
• Waghorn, H. T. (2005) [1906]. The Dawn of Cricket. London: J. W. McKenzie. ISBN 978-09-47821-17-3.
• Wisden (1963). Preston, Norman (ed.). Wisden Cricketers' Almanack (100 ed.). London: Sporting Handbooks Ltd.

Further reading

• Barclays (1986). Swanton, E. W.; Plumptre, George; Woodcock, George (eds.). Barclays World of Cricket. London: HarperCollins. ISBN 978-00-02181-93-8.
• Birley, Derek (1999). A Social History of English Cricket. London: Aurum Press. ISBN 978-18-54106-22-3.
• Maun, Ian (2011). From Commons to Lord's, Volume Two: 1751 to 1770. Martin Wilson. ISBN 978-0-9569-0660-1.
• Wilson, Martin (2005). An Index to Waghorn. Bodyline Books.