1740 English cricket season

The 1740 cricket season was the 143rd in England since the earliest known definite reference to cricket in January 1597 (i.e., Old Style – 1598 New Style). Details have survived of eight important matches. London Cricket Club features in all of the surviving reports. Rain was a problem in July.

The following matches are classified as important:

The report only states the venue and the winners.

The return match to the one above. The announcement advises: "All persons are desir'd to come in by the Iron Gates at the Pyed Horse-yard". The Pyed Horse was a pub adjoining the ground and its landlord (George Smith at the time) was usually the groundkeeper.

Scores are known: London 100 & 70-8; Richmond & Moulsey 86. Rain delayed the start till between three and four o’clock. It was decided to try again next week at the Artillery Ground.

Reported by the London & Country Journal dated Tuesday, 22 July.

Kent scored 71 & 130; London scored 98 and 30-3. Rain halted play "for some time". The report mentions the return match below.

Referenced by the report of the match on Monday, 28 July.

London won "with great difficulty". The report in the London Evening Post mentions arrangements for the return fixture below. This is the earliest mention of Uxbridge as a venue and the first time that Berkshire and Buckinghamshire are mentioned in county team terms, albeit parts of a combined team here. The first mention of Hertfordshire as a team is in 1732, though combined with Essex.

Announced in the report of the previous match on Monday, 8 September.

Thomas Waymark, who had been employed by the 2nd Duke of Richmond as a groom, relocated to Bray, Berkshire where he was employed by the cricket enthusiast Mr Darville, and took part in matches organised by him.

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