List of English cricketers to 1771 facts for kids

Cricket is a super old sport, and its history goes way back! This article is about some of the very first English cricketers we know about. These players were active before 1772, which is when cricket matches started being recorded in a more official way.

Cricket changed a lot during the 1700s. Important people and fans helped it grow from a simple village game into a big sport. The first official rules of cricket were written in 1744. Later, around the 1760s, bowlers started throwing the ball through the air (pitched delivery) instead of rolling it along the ground. This led to the invention of the straight cricket bat, which completely changed how players bowled and batted!

We have some old scorecards from 1744, but it wasn't until 1772 that people started keeping them regularly.

Early Cricket Stars

Players Before 1725

Many of the oldest records about cricket come from old court cases. These cases sometimes mention the names of people who played the game. For example, in 1598, a man named John Derrick remembered playing cricket when he was a student at Royal Grammar School, Guildford about 50 years earlier.

In 1611, two men, Bartholomew Wyatt and Richard Latter, got into trouble for playing cricket on a Sunday in Sussex. The first time cricket was mentioned in London was in 1617. It was about Oliver Cromwell, who would later become a very important leader, playing the game while he was studying.

Sadly, in 1624, a player named Jasper Vinall from Sussex died after being hit on the head by a bat during a game. He is the first known cricket player to die from an injury during a match. Other court cases from the 1600s also mention players who got into trouble for playing on Sundays or for arguments over bets.

By the early 1700s, more names of cricketers started appearing in records.

Year	Name	Location	Notes
1702	Charles Lennox, 1st Duke of Richmond	Sussex	He was one of the first important supporters of cricket. He even organized a match in 1702 and might have played in it. His son also loved the sport.
1709	William Bedle	Dartford and Kent	When he passed away in 1768, people said he was the "most expert cricket player in England." Many consider him the first great player.
1724	Edwin Stead	Kent	A key supporter of cricket in Kent. He died young in 1735.
	William Goodwin	Sunbury and Middlesex	People said he was "able to play at cricket with most people." Sunbury had a very good team back then.
1725	Sir William Gage, 7th Baronet	Sussex	He was a major supporter of early cricket and also played the game. His home in Firle, Sussex, was an important place for early matches.
	Charles Lennox, 2nd Duke of Richmond	Sussex and Slindon	A big supporter of early cricket who also played. He even played against teams organized by Sir William Gage.
	Edmund Chapman	Chertsey, Croydon and Surrey teams	His obituary in 1763 called him "one of the most dextrous cricket players in England." He was also a master bricklayer.

Players From 1726 to 1750

The first scorecards we still have today are from the 1744 season. These scorecards list the names of players in matches. One match was between London and a combined Surrey and Sussex team. Another was between an England team and a Kent team. This Kent vs. England match is the first one where we know how players got out. Both these matches happened at the Artillery Ground in London in June.

Year	Name	Teams	Notes
1726	Perry	London	Born in Surrey. He and Piper played in the earliest known one-on-one cricket match in 1726.
	Piper	Hampton	A famous player from Hampton.
1727	Alan Brodrick, 2nd Viscount Midleton	Surrey	A Surrey supporter who helped write the first known rules of the game.
	Thomas Waymark	Sussex and Berkshire	A "famous player" known for his "extraordinary agility." He played for over 20 years and is seen as the first great all-rounder (good at both batting and bowling).
1729	John Chitty	Surrey	He owned what is now the oldest cricket bat still around! It's kept in the museum at The Oval.
1730	Mr Andrews	Sunbury and Surrey	A Surrey supporter who challenged the Duke of Richmond's team in 1730.
1731	Frederick, Prince of Wales	Surrey	The future king of England! He became interested in cricket when he moved to England. He was a big supporter from 1732 and played the game himself in 1735.
	Tim Coleman	London	A report from that time called him "the famous Tim Coleman."
	Thomas Chambers	Middlesex	A Middlesex supporter who challenged the Duke of Richmond's team in 1731.
1734	Charles Sackville, 2nd Duke of Dorset	Kent	He occasionally supported Kent cricket and played in matches with his brother, Lord John Sackville.
	Lord John Sackville	Kent	A leading supporter of Kent cricket and a noted player. He captained the Kent team against an England team in 1744.
1735	Cook	Brentford	Described as "one of the best bowlers in England" by a reporter.
	Dunn	London	Mentioned in three match reports.
	Ellis	London	Described as London's "best bowler."
	Wakeland	London	Played in two one-on-one matches.
	Wheatley	London	A batsman who worked as a distiller.
	Marshall	London	Recorded in one match in 1735.
	Pool	London	Recorded in one match in 1735.
	Mr Jervoise	Croydon and Surrey	A Surrey supporter who was active in 1735.
	Wood	Woodcot, Surrey	Briefly mentioned in a 1735 report. There were two players named Wood from Woodcot.
1736	George Oldner	London	Played in a top one-on-one match against two famous Richmond players.
1737	John Boots	Sussex	A village cricket player who died during a match after bumping into another player.
	Charles Spencer, 3rd Duke of Marlborough	London	A supporter and captain of a team.
1739	John Bowra	Bromley	Known as the "Kentish Shepherd."
1740	Darville	Berkshire	Thomas Waymark's boss. He was a supporter who played in three one-on-one matches in 1748.
	John Newland	Slindon, England	Brother of Richard Newland.
	George Smith	London	A pub owner who also took care of the Artillery Ground. He played sometimes but was better known for his money troubles.
1741	John Russell, 4th Duke of Bedford	Bedfordshire	A supporter who organized matches at his home, Woburn Abbey. He didn't play often due to gout.
	George Montagu-Dunk, 2nd Earl of Halifax	Northamptonshire	A supporter and captain.
	John Montagu, 4th Earl of Sandwich	Huntingdonshire	Played for Eton College and was a supporter and captain.
	Richard Grenville	Buckinghamshire	A supporter and captain.
1743	Richard Newland	Slindon, England	One of the best batsmen before bowlers started throwing the ball through the air. He scored 88 runs in 1744, the highest known score of that time.
	John Bryant	Kent and Slindon	A bricklayer from Kent. He played in one-on-one matches and in both 1744 matches at the Artillery Ground.
	John Cutbush	Kent	Played in a 1743 one-on-one match called "the six best players in England."
	Ridgeway	Sussex	Played in the 1744 match between London and a Surrey and Sussex team.
	Robert Colchin	Bromley and Kent	Known as Long Robin, he was considered the best all-rounder of his time. He was also good at organizing matches.
	Tom Peake	Chelsfield and Kent	A Kent player often asked to join other teams.
	Val Romney	Sevenoaks and Kent	Lived at Sevenoaks and worked as a gardener. He was considered "a famous player" and was known for his leadership.
	William Hodsoll	Dartford and Kent	A tanner from Kent, described as an outstanding bowler and one of "the six best players in England."
	William Sawyer	Richmond and Surrey	Rated among "the six best players in England."
	Lord Montfort	London	A supporter and captain who led a combined London, Middlesex, and Surrey team in 1743.
	Stephen Rose	Chertsey	An army deserter who was known as "a famous cricket player."
1744	Adam Newland	Slindon, England	Brother of Richard Newland and a member of the Slindon team.
	Little Bennett	London	From Surrey. He and Tall Bennett were two of the best batsmen of their time.
	Tall Bennett	London	From Surrey. He and Little Bennett were two of the best batsmen of their time.
	Collins	Surrey	Played in the 1744 match between London and a Surrey and Sussex team.
	Edward Aburrow Sr	Slindon and Sussex	Played under the name Cuddy. He was a noted one-on-one player.
	George Jackson	Addington and Surrey	Born in Surrey, he was a good batsman who often played in one-on-one matches.
	Green	Amberley and Sussex	Played in both 1744 matches for which scorecards exist.
	Howlett	London	Made two known appearances, one in 1744 and one in 1745.
	James Bryant	Bromley, Kent	From Kent. Brother of John Bryant.
	James Love	Richmond	A player for Richmond, but better known as a poet.
	Joseph Harris	Addington and Surrey	Brother of John Harris. Both played in the 1744 matches.
	John Harris	Addington and Surrey	Brother of Joseph Harris. Both played in the 1744 matches.
	John Mills	Horsmonden and Kent	Lived in Kent. Described as "a famous bowler."
	Kips	Eltham and Kent	A wicket-keeper from Eltham in Kent.
	Maynard	Surrey	Born in Surrey. Played in 12 matches up to 1750.
	Norris	London	Made two known appearances, including in the 1744 match.
	Stephen Dingate	Reigate, Surrey	Born in Surrey and worked for the Duke of Richmond. Played in both 1744 matches.
	Stevens	Surrey	Two brothers named Stevens were supposed to play for Surrey and Sussex in 1744.
	Tom Faulkner	Addington and Surrey	Born in Surrey. A well-known one-on-one player and also a boxer.
	Andrews	Slindon and Sussex	Recorded as playing in the 1744 match by some sources.
	Bartram	Kent	Played for Kent against England in the 1744 match. Described as "a famous bowler."
	Butler	London	Recorded as playing in the 1744 match by some sources.
	Danes	Kent	Played for Kent against England in the 1744 match.
	Hoder	London	Recorded as playing in the 1744 match by some sources.
	Mills	Kent	From Bromley in Kent. Recorded playing for Kent against England in 1744.
1745	Broad	Addington and Surrey	From Dartford in Kent. Mentioned in match reports from 1745 to 1750.
	John Borah	Long Robin's XI	From Bromley in Kent. Recorded in matches from 1745 to 1749.
	Howard	Kent	Born in Kent. Mentioned in match reports from 1745 to 1752.
	Robert Lascoe	Bromley and Kent	Mentioned in match reports from 1745 to 1748.
	William Anderson	London	Mentioned in match reports from 1745 to 1752.
	Hodge	Long Robin's XI	Recorded in one match in 1745.
	Jacob Mann	Richard Newland's XI	Recorded in one match in 1745.
	Martin	Richard Newland's XI	Recorded in one match in 1745.
	Norton	Richard Newland's XI	Recorded in one match in 1745.
1747	John Bell	Dartford and Kent	A wicket-keeper from Dartford. After he died, he was called "the most noted cricketer in England."
	Thomas Bell	Dartford and Kent	Brother of John Bell.
	J Mansfield	England	Known to have played in matches in 1749.
	John Larkin	Hadlow and Kent	A noted one-on-one player.
	Jones	Hadlow and Kent	Mentioned in match reports from 1747 to 1749.
	Joseph Rudd	Sussex	A noted one-on-one player.
	Pye	Sussex	Worked for the Duke of Richmond. A noted one-on-one player.
	Robert Eures	Bexley and Kent	Lived in London. Known to be a good batsman who played for England teams.
	Thomas Jure	London	Mentioned in match reports from 1747 to 1749.
	Allen	Kent and Middlesex	Recorded in one match in 1747.
	Henry Venn	England	An important church leader who played for an England team in 1747. He was considered one of the best batsmen at Cambridge University.
1748	Durling	Addington and Surrey	Born in Surrey. Mentioned in match reports from 1748 to 1761.
	Joseph Budd		Worked for the Duke of Richmond. Played in matches in 1748 and 1749.
	John Capon	London and Surrey	Born in Surrey. Mentioned in match reports from 1748 to 1755.
	George Carter	London	Recorded from 1748 to 1749.
	Walker	London	Recorded in one one-on-one match in 1748.
	Robin		From Bromley in Kent and the brother of Robin Colchin (Long Robin).
1749	John Frame	Dartford and Kent	Arguably the first great fast bowler in cricket history. He had a long career.
	Perry	Surrey	Mentioned in match reports from 1749 to 1755.
	Humphreys	Surrey	Recorded in matches in 1749.
	John Calchin	Bromley	From Kent. Recorded in matches in 1749.
	Joseph Hitches	Colchin's XI	Recorded in 1749.
	Thomas Southam	Colchin's XI	Recorded in 1749.
	Robinson	Faulkner's XI	Recorded in 1749.
1750	Garrett	Kent	Born in Kent. Recorded in matches in 1750 and 1751.
	Rawlins	Kent	Born in Kent. Mentioned in match reports to 1751.
	Robert Bartholomew	Surrey	Played in matches for Surrey teams in 1750.
	Thomas Brandon	Dartford and Kent	A noted batsman from Dartford who often played in one-on-one matches. He was a shopkeeper.
	Frame	Surrey	John Frame's brother. Recorded in matches in 1750.

Players From 1751 to 1771

Between 1751 and 1771, the Hambledon Club in Hampshire became a very important place for cricket. This was after the Artillery Ground in London became less important. During this time, John Minshull scored the first known century (100 runs) in 1769! Before this, scores were often kept using tally sticks, but now they were written down more often.

The first complete scorecards since the Kent vs. England match in 1744 are from the 1772 season. These matches are generally considered the first ones to have "first-class" status, meaning they were very important and official games.

Year	Name	Teams	Notes
1751	Stephen Harding	Thursley and Chertsey	From Thursley in Surrey. A "good bowler and hard-hitting batsman." He scored 50 runs for an England team in 1751.
	Stephens	Dartford	Mentioned in match reports from 1751 to 1759.
	Mathews	England	Recorded in matches in 1751.
	Stone	Kent	Recorded in matches in 1751.
	Wilden	Kent	Recorded in matches in 1751.
1753	William King	London	Noted as a leading London player in 1753 and 1754.
1754	Parr	Chatham	Recorded in one one-on-one match in 1754.
1755	Clowder	London	Recorded in one one-on-one match in 1755.
1759	Gill	Buckinghamshire and All-England	A wicket-keeper who played in the first official first-class match in 1772.
	John Edmeads	Chertsey and Surrey	Mentioned in match reports until 1779.
	John Haynes	Surrey	Mentioned in match reports from 1759 to 1761.
	Thomas Woods	Chertsey and Surrey	Probably played for All-England in 1759.
	Allen	Middlesex	Played in three matches in 1759.
	Burchwood	Kent	A noted bowler. Played in three matches in 1759.
	Cheeseman	Sussex	Played in three matches in 1759.
	Gascoigne	London	Played in three matches in 1759.
	Nyland	Sussex	Played in three matches in 1759.
	Saunders	Berkshire	Played in three matches in 1759.
	Goldstone	Dartford and Kent	Played in three matches in 1759.
	Killick	Dartford and Kent	Played in three matches in 1759.
	Potter	Dartford and Kent	Played in three matches in 1759.
	Wakelin	Dartford and Kent	Played in three matches in 1759.
1761	Shock White	Brentford	Active between 1761 and 1773.
	Charles Sears	Chertsey	Played two matches in 1761.
	William Piper	Chertsey	Appeared in one match in 1761 for Chertsey.
1764	John Small	Hambledon and Hampshire	Described as "a star of the first magnitude" and a master batsman.
	John Bayton	Hambledon and Hampshire	A noted batsman of the late 1760s.
	Peter Stewart	Hambledon and Hampshire	Nicknamed "Buck," he was a funny person and a key player for Hambledon.
	Richard Nyren	Hambledon and Hampshire	Cricket's earliest known left-handed player. An amazing all-rounder who captained the Hambledon team.
	Thomas Land	Hambledon and Hampshire	Perhaps the first supporter of Hambledon cricket.
	Thomas Baldwin	Chertsey	Active in the 1760s.
	Thomas Ridge	Hambledon and Hampshire	An important Hambledon Club member who played in many matches.
	William Barber	Hambledon and Hampshire	A noted bowler, probably fast-medium.
	William Hogsflesh	Hambledon and Hampshire	A noted bowler, probably fast-medium.
	Edward Woolgar	Hambledon and Hampshire	Mentioned in one match in 1764.
	John Woolgar	Hambledon and Hampshire	Mentioned in one match in 1764.
	Osmond	Hambledon and Hampshire	Mentioned in one match in 1764.
1765	Richard Edmeads	Chertsey	Brother of John Edmeads. Recorded in one match in 1765.
1767	Edward Aburrow Jr	Hambledon and Hampshire	Son of Edward Aburrow Sr. A regular player for Hampshire.
	Henry Rowett	Caterham and Surrey	A supporter of Surrey cricket.
	Sir Horatio Mann, 2nd Baronet	Kent	A leading supporter of Kent cricket.
	Tom Sueter	Hambledon and Hampshire	An outstanding wicketkeeper-batsman, known for his batting style.
1768	John Frederick Sackville, 3rd Duke of Dorset	Kent	A leading supporter of Kent cricket and a good player himself.
	Bellchambers	Surrey	Recorded in two matches up to 1769.
	James Fuggles	Kent	A Kent batsman.
	John Boorman	Kent and Essex	A prominent bowler.
	Joseph Miller	Kent	An outstanding batsman.
	Richard May	Kent	A noted bowler of the 1760s and 1770s. Brother of Thomas May.
	Thomas May	Kent	A batsman. Brother of Richard May.
	Richard Simmons	Kent	One of the earliest well-known wicketkeepers.
	Will Palmer	Kent and Surrey	A noted batsman.
	Birchet	Surrey	Recorded in two matches in 1768.
	Brobham	Dartford and Kent	Recorded in one one-on-one match in 1768.
	Foule	Caterham	Recorded as top scorer in one match in 1768.
	Mandy	Kent	Recorded in one one-on-one match in 1768.
	Muddle	Kent	Recorded in two matches in 1768.
	Smailes	Caterham	Recorded in two matches from 1768 to 1769.
	Blake	Caterham	Mentioned in one match in 1768.
	Carpenter	Caterham	Mentioned in one match in 1768.
	Edward Francis	Caterham	Mentioned in one match in 1768.
	T. Francis	Caterham	Mentioned in one match in 1768.
	Golding	Bourne	Mentioned in one match in 1768.
	Love	Bourne	Mentioned in one match in 1768.
	Miller	Caterham	Mentioned in one match in 1768.
	Twinker	Caterham	Mentioned in one match in 1768.
	Ward	Bourne	Mentioned in one match in 1768.
1769	Lumpy Stevens	Chertsey and Surrey	One of the greatest bowlers of his time. He had a long career.
	Jasper Fish	Kent	Recorded in three matches between 1769 and 1777.
	John Wood	Kent	A noted bowler.
	George Leer	Hambledon and Hampshire	A middle-order batsman known for his fielding.
	John Minshull	Kent and Surrey	Scored the earliest known century in cricket history.
	Thomas Brett	Hambledon and Hampshire	An outstanding fast bowler, praised for his speed and accuracy.
	Page	Chertsey and Surrey	Active until 1773.
	Thomas Pattenden	Kent	Played in over thirty matches.
	Thomas Quiddington	Chertsey and Surrey	A noted bowler.
	John Wood	Chertsey and Surrey	A noted all-rounder.
	William Bowra	Kent and Sussex	Probably the son of John Bowra. A good middle-order batsman and fielder.
	Glazier	Hambledon and Hampshire	Recorded in one match in 1769.
	Purdy	Hambledon and Hampshire	Recorded in one match in 1769.
	Shepherd	Caterham and Surrey	Recorded in one match in 1769.
	Wessing	Caterham and Surrey	Recorded in one match in 1769.
	S. Bartram	Duke of Dorset's XI	Recorded in one match in 1769.
	Bishop	Duke of Dorset's XI	Recorded in one match in 1769.
	Oliver	Duke of Dorset's XI	Recorded in one match in 1769.
	Shearcy	Duke of Dorset's XI	Recorded in one match in 1769.
	Whiting	Duke of Dorset's XI	Recorded in one match in 1769.
1771	Coleman	Nottingham	Two known matches, 1771–72.
	Collishaw	Nottingham	Two known matches, 1771–72.
	John Thomas de Burgh	Hambledon and Hampshire	An occasional player in the early 1770s.
	Huythwaite	Nottingham	One match against Sheffield.
	Loughman	Nottingham	Two known matches, 1771–72.
	Mew	Nottingham	Two known matches, 1771–72.
	Osguthorpe	Sheffield	One match against Nottingham.
	Harry Peckham	Sussex	An occasional player who helped write the 1774 Laws of Cricket.
	Rawson	Nottingham	One match against Sheffield.
	Roe	Nottingham	Two known matches, 1771–1772.
	Spurr	Nottingham	Two known matches, 1771–1772.
	Stocks	Nottingham	Two known matches, 1771–1772.
	Troop	Nottingham	Two known matches, 1771–1772.
	Turner	Nottingham	Two known matches, 1771–1772.
	Thomas White	Chertsey and Surrey	A noted all-rounder who started the "Monster Bat Controversy" in 1771.

See also

• List of English cricketers (1772–1786)
• List of English cricketers (1787–1825)
• List of English cricketers (1826–1840)
• List of English cricketers (1841–1850)
• List of English cricketers (1851–1860)
• List of English cricketers (1861–1870)