1763 English cricket season

The 1763 cricket season was the 166th in England since the earliest known definite reference to cricket in January 1597 (i.e., Old Style – 1598 New Style). Details have survived of two important eleven-a-side matches. 1763 was an important year for England and for the future of cricket as it marked the end of the Seven Years' War. French influence in India was reduced to a handful of trading posts and its hopes of an eastern Empire were no more, though Bonaparte certainly tried to revive those hopes. Great Britain expanded its interests in India and the era of the British Raj and the consequent hegemony of cricket in Indian sport began.

In the short term, economic hardship at home meant little for investment in cricket and there were only a couple of historically significant matches in 1763.

Wednesday, 30 July. The death of Mr Edmund Chapman of Chertsey in his 69th year, which means he was born in either 1694 or 1695. Chapman was an eminent master bricklayer and "accounted one of the most dexterous cricket players in England". There are no earlier references to Edmund Chapman who must have been active c.1715 to c.1740, presumably playing for Chertsey Cricket Club, or perhaps Croydon Cricket Club, and for Surrey as a county.

The following matches are classified as important:

This was played for £200 and Middlesex won "with great ease"

This was a return match announced in the report of the first. The report says Middlesex won "by a great majority".

Another source records that, during play on the Monday, a spectator lost over £20 to a pickpocket. The Artillery Ground had by this time fallen into disrepute and it would not last much longer as a major venue.

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