1753 English cricket season

The 1753 cricket season was the 156th in England since the earliest known definite reference to cricket in January 1597 (i.e., Old Style – 1598 New Style). Details have survived of three important eleven-a-side and one single wicket matches.

A poem, dedicated to the 1st Duke of Dorset, refers to a crimson cricket ball. It may have been made by Mr Clout, whose firm was in Sevenoaks where the Dukes of Dorset reside at Knole House.

The following matches are classified as important:

Dover scored 57 and 83; Dartford scored 95 and 38. This is the first significant mention of Dover in cricket history. Dartford remained a premier club through the 1750s so presumably this was a shock result.

Hambledon scored 202 and 105; Surrey scored 131 and 63. This is the first mention of cricket being played on Broadhalfpenny (discovered in the Salisbury Journal in 2011). John Lucas, of Portsmouth, scored 82 in Hambledon's first innings.

This was a benefit match for Mr Anderson of the Dial in Long Alley, Moorfields. There was a well-known player called William Anderson, first mentioned in 1745, so possibly this was he. The two elevens were made up of various players from the general London area with "the best bowlers to be parted".

Marylebone (no connection with MCC) had Tall Bennett and William King as given men.

Monday, 10 September. Two of London were to play Tom Faulkner and Joe Harris for £20 at the Artillery Ground.

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