1731 English cricket season


The 1731 English cricket season was the 35th cricket season since the earliest recorded eleven-aside match was played. Details have survived of 29 matches as well as one notable single wicket match. Match reports in newspapers were increasingly common and began to contain more detail, sometimes including the names of patrons and players.
The most notable match played during the year was at Richmond Green in August which ended in a riot. It is the earliest match for which the team totals were recorded and have been preserved, rather than simply who won the wager.

Recorded matches

Around 30 matches are recorded as having been played during the year. CricketArchive records 26 matches whilst other sources add further matches to the total.

Single wicket matches

A single wicket match was played at Maidstone in July between two officers of the Royal Horse Guards, Captain Beak and Lieutenant Coke. It was for a "considerable sum of money" and won by Captain Beak after three hours "very hard played". Waghorn stated that it was the first military match he found during his researches.

First mentions

Clubs and teams