1766 English cricket season

The 1766 cricket season was the 169th 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 matches.

On Thursday, 6 February, Robert Bartholomew died. He had played for Surrey in the 1750s and may have been related to the Bartholomews who played for Chertsey in the 1770s. He was the master of the Angel Inn at Islington and also of White Conduit House.

Perhaps another nail in the coffin of the Artillery Ground when its latest keeper Mr Read died on Thursday, 25 September. Like George Smith before him, he was also the landlord of the "Pyed Horse Inn".

The following matches are classified as important:

This is the earliest reference to Hampshire as an individual county team. Whether the Hambledon Club was involved is unrecorded. Some historians believe it was at about this time that the club, as distinct from a parish organisation, was founded. After the first innings the odds were 40 to 1 against Hampshire.

Another source has recorded Tues 17 June as the date and has surmised that Goodwood was the venue but all that can be said for certain is that the Hampshire team won.

No details are known of the game apart from a mention in the Kentish Weekly Post.

The choice of Dartford Brent as the venue for the Chertsey v Hambledon match seems strange as it was neutral.

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