Cambridgeshire Cricket
Cambridge University 1710
Wisbech 1744
March 1744
Eton v England 1751
Cambridge 1757
Royston 1764
Chatteris 1774
Newmarket 1788
Manea 1791
Thorney 1810
Newton 1812
Leverington 1812
Murrow 1812
Parson Drove 1812
Ickleton 1813
Bentwick 1815
Doddington 1815
Wimblington 1815
Elm 1816
Ely 1818
Bassingborn 1820
Tholomas Drove 1820
Wisbech St Mary's 1820
Bottisham 1821
Fulbourn 1821
Soham 1822
Abington 1822
Walsoken 1826
Longstowe 1826
Bourn 1826
Linton 1827
Chesterton 1828
Whittlesey 1829
Cambridgeshire 1832
Mepal 1833
Sutton 1833
French Drove 1834
Fordham 1834
Balsham 1838
Sawston 1838
Comberton 1839
Haslingfield 1839
Steeple Bumpstead 1839
Barrington 1839
Melbourn 1839
Willingham 1839
Camps 1840
Cheveley 1841
Newport 1841
Quy 1841
Chippenham 1843
Kirtling 1843
Grantchester 1843
Haddenham 1843
Over 1844
Littlington 1844
Foxton 1844
Swavesey 1844
Fowlmere 1844
Shepreth 1844
Harston 1844
Thriplow 1845
Elsworth 1846
Toft 1846
Ashley 1849
Eversden 1849
Wimpole 1849
Arrington 1849
Burrough Green 1849
Burwell 1849
Swaffham 1849
Six Mile Bottom 1849
Harston 1849
Caldecote 1849
Shudy Camps 1850
Aldreth 1850
Babraham 1850
Waterbeach 1850
Horseheath 1851
Swaffham Prior 1851
Cambridge Cricket Venues
From 1757
Jesus Green
From 1792
From 1792
Parker's Piece
From 1805
From 1805
Jesus Close
From 1820
Midsummer Common
1821-30
University private
ground Mill Rd
From 1846
Field behind Town Gaol
From 1848
Fenner's
Gallery
Here is a selection of illustrations relevant to the history of Cambridgeshire cricket 1710-1890.
Frank Fenner in old age
I do not know the exact date of this picture, but it probably dates from his time in Bath where he ran a hotel and spent the latter part of his life.
Degree Morning, Cambridge, 1863 by Robert
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The interest in this picture is the inclusion of the two bowler-hatted figures at the back of the left hand group. They are Tom Hayward and Robert Carpenter. Their inclusion indicates their social importance at that time since this is a picture of academic Cambridge with no specific relevance to cricket. |
Children playing on the College Backs in Cambridge c 1838
I like to think that this picture illustrates my not particularly original thesis that the presence of top class cricketers such as Fenner and Boning of the Cambridge Town and County Club and Caldecourt and Redgate, professionals for the University Club, inspired enthusiasm for the game amongst children in the town thus paving the way for future top class cicketers to develop.
Cricket on Parker's Piece 1854
Note the general sense of mayhem which seems to have been the norm on Parker's Piece.
The 1868 England touring team to Canada and the US. John Smith and George Tarrant of Cambridgeshire are middle of front row and 3rd from right back row respectively. This is the only picture of John Smith I have come across.
The University Arms 1840
The University Arms Hotel, Parker's Piece, Cambridge 2009. This hotel was quite new in 1840 at a time when cricket in the town was hitting one of its peaks as is indicated by the presence of cricketers in the background of the picture from that date. The Cambridge Town and County Club's first general meeting was held there and I assume that the game was good for business..
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1830 |
2009 |
The Hoop Hotel, Cambridge, home of the Hoop Cricket Club 1827-30 sadly is no more, although the upper facade is still clear to see.
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Here are three pictures of cricket on Parker's Piece. Above right is dated as being between Cambridge Town and University in 1846. Above left is a photograph of a similar painting that I have not yet dated. The third picture (top) is dated as being from the 1860's, but is again based on the same basic picture. I would like to know which of the first, if either, is the original.
Fred Thackeray played for Cambridge University,
Cambridge Town Club and in joint Cambridge Town/
University teams against MCC in 1839-43.
Thomas Hayward and Robert Carpenter - stars of Cambridge
Cambridgeshire and English cricket 1850's-70's
Thomas Hayward as portrayed in Pycroft's
" The Cricket Tutor"