Great Cricket Matches 1772-1800

In a number of cases, however, we have made significant alterations to well-known scores. Although we recognise that some of these changes may be controversial, they are justified by an objective application of the guidelines we have outlined, and we believe that the scores presented here, taken as a whole, constitute the fullest, most accurate and most reliable record that has ever been assembled of major cricket during this crucial phase in the development of the game. However, we acknowledge that a book such as this can never represent the last word on its subject. Errors will always creep in despite all efforts to exclude them. More fundamentally, research is continuing and will undoubtedly uncover new information that questions, or contradicts, the version of events that is presented here. Batting orders The issue of batting orders requires a separate note. The settled convention in presenting cricket scores is to list teams in first-innings batting order. Although this convention also existed in the 18th century, it had not become fully established and several sources use other approaches. Some, for instance, list the team in order of social rank, with the dukes and earls at the top, followed by the ‘Honourables’, then the ordinary ‘Esquires’, with the lowly professionals bringing up the rear. Although it is obviously most unlikely that the team batted in this way, the order cannot be described as ‘wrong’; it is probably quite correct, by its own lights, and while it is not a batting order, it reflects the values of its day. Sometimes ‘given men’ are listed at the end, even though they are often leading batsmen who will have actually have gone in near the top of the order. In some cases, the side appears to be listed in the order of getting out (as opposed to the order of going 26 Lord Frederick Beauclerk, a formidable character both on and off the field of play. Drawing by George Shepheard. With thanks to MCC Photo Library. Col Charles Lennox (later 4th Duke of Richmond) and Capt Edward Bligh, two leading gentleman cricketers. Drawing by George Shepheard. With thanks to MCC Photo Library.