Great Cricket Matches 1772-1800: The Players and The Records

INTRODUCTION In some senses this book may be seen as a companion to the Association’s 2010 publication, Great Cricket Matches 1772-1800 . It covers the identical period, and it uses the same definition, agreed by the ACS in 2010, of what constitutes a ‘great’ match. The contents of this book will undoubtedly be of interest to anyone that has already acquired the earlier work. However, the present volume also stands on its own merits as a contribution to knowledge about this important period. At its heart is a register of every cricketer that appeared in an eighteenth-century ‘great’ match, with a brief summary of what is known about him. The register assembles much information that has never before been published in book form, including for instance a definite birth date for the prominent cricketer John Small junior, besides shedding new light on many lesser individuals who had previously been little more than names. The book also includes a record section, complete with ground-by-ground breakdown, covering ‘great’ matches of the eighteenth century; together with career records for all the players. It concludes with a list of errata and addenda to the previous volume. It is hoped that this book will help to stimulate interest in a pivotal period in cricket’s history. The help is acknowledged of a number of ACS members including the late Don Ambrose, Chris Amos, Philip Bailey, Colin Battell, John Bryant, Kevin Clement, Peter Griffiths, Michael Holmes, Ian Maun, Mick Pope, the late Philip Thorn, Martin Wilson and Peter Wynne-Thomas; also the published research of Graham Collyer and John Goulstone. As editor I am, however, responsible for any errors in these pages. Keith Warsop 4