1768 English cricket season

The 1768 cricket season was the 171st in England since the earliest known definite reference to cricket in January 1597 (i.e., Old Style – 1598 New Style). Details have survived of nine important matches. There was a brief return by Sussex to top-class cricket and the possibility of the earliest known century in senior cricket.

The following matches are classified as important:

Caterham 63 (Smailes 25) & 150 (Foule 33, Mr H Rowett 30); Kent 60 & 139 (R Simmons 45, W Palmer 23)

The Kentish Weekly Post of Sat 11 June records the teams and individual scores. The Caterham club is referred to as "Westerham & Caterham", probably because of the venue. Bourne is actually Mr (later Sir) Horatio Mann’s team and the newspaper on this occasion calls it Bourne, where Mr Mann had his residence and his own very famous venue: Bishopsbourne Paddock. In other reports, Mr Mann’s teams are variously referred to as Kent or, perhaps most accurately, East Kent.

This is the third time (and the first since 1744) that the individual scores of an important match have survived. No details of dismissal were recorded.

Announced in the St James Chronicle on Sat 23 July. Caterham was to give Bourne two men. The St James Chronicle referred to the teams as Mr Horatio Mann’s Club and Mr Henry Rowett’s Club.

Pre-announced in Lloyd’s Evening Post on Wed 27 July. To be played for 100 guineas a side.

Announced in the St James Chronicle on Sat 23 July. Bourne (Horace Mann) was to give Caterham (Henry Rowett) one man.

Referred to in a letter dated Wed 27 July 1768 from Sir Matthew Fetherstonhaugh of Uppark to Thomas Pelham-Holles, 1st Duke of Newcastle: "I hear there is to be a great Cricket match play’d next Friday Sennight upon Broad-halfpenny, about 7 miles West of this place in Hampshire & at wch. The Duke of Richmond & many from the Chichester Div. Of the County will be present, for it is a match made by the Duke (Sussex against Hampshire) with a Mr. Ridge near Warnford; at wch. Mr. Sackville is to play on the Sussex side".

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Wikipedia