Great Cricket Matches 1772-1800

personnel, is clearly Middlesex rather than Thursday. Middlesex won by ten wickets. Other metropolitan clubs – This refers to four matches, all in 1796, between combinations of various metropolitan clubs (see SB pp 201, 204, 206, 210). The Guide specifically refers (p12) to ‘good quality metropolitan club matches’ as a category of game that should not be included. These matches appear to come into this category, although it should be pointed out that the two between MCC and a combined Montpelier/Thursday side (24 June and 13 July) are of a relatively high standard and include some professionals. It is possible that these games were arranged in place of the usual MCC v Middlesex fixtures, which did not come off in 1796. However, they are not included because they are not on quite the same footing as the only two London club matches included after 1801, MCC v Homerton in 1808 and MCC v St John's Wood in 1814, which incorporated respectively seven and ten of the leading professionals of the day. Note for instance that the Guide excludes the 1810 game between MCC and Homerton even though the latter includes three strong professionals. Old Etonians – Three games are included, two in 1791 (v Gentlemen of England and v MCC) and one in 1793 (v Old Westminsters). The games against MCC and Old Westminsters include respectively eight and twelve professionals as given men; while the game against Gentlemen of England includes most of the leading amateurs of the day, plus two professionals. The Guide similarly includes Old Etonian games in 1816 and 1817. Select teams – Matches between select sides are common in the period from 1787 and have been included or excluded based on the strength of the teams. The 1798 Beauclerk v Whitehead match has reasonably good teams but is omitted because it was a single innings affair in which play stopped as soon as a result was achieved. 20 William Beldham, ‘Silver Billy’, the greatest all-rounder of his day. Drawing by George Shepheard. With thanks to MCC Photo Library. David Harris, the celebrated fast bowler. Drawing by George Shepheard. With thanks to MCC Photo Library.