1731 English cricket season

The 1731 cricket season was the 134th in England since the earliest known definite reference to cricket in January 1597 (i.e., Old Style – 1598 New Style). Details have survived of thirty important matches and one single wicket match.

Match reports in the newspapers were increasingly common and tended to contain more detail, sometimes including the names of patrons and players. Tim Coleman was named in the report of a minor match in which he was playing, and referred to as "the famous Tim Coleman". Records have been found of 30 important matches in 1731.

The most dramatic match of the season was the one at Richmond Green on 23 August. It ended in a riot and it is believed that the 2nd Duke of Richmond conceded defeat after the match was originally declared a draw. Of greater significance, it is the earliest match for which the team totals were recorded and have been preserved, rather than simply who won the wager.

The following matches are classified as important:

The Daily Advertiser reported that the match was "played for 30 guineas a side and, after a great deal of good Play on both sides, it was won by (Kent) by three Notches only".

Advance notice was given of this game and the one below, both at the same venue.

London played Chelsfield, then in Kent, in an evening match with a stake of 30 guineas. This is the only time a Chelsfield team appears in the sources.

Played for 50 guineas a side in the "old" (sic) Artillery Ground. Play went on for several hours and bets of between £400 and £500 were laid; those amounts were a fortune at the time.

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