1697
The "great match" in 1697 was the first to be recorded by a contemporary newspaper but by no means the first such match to be held. It must have been organised by at least one patron and, given its Sussex venue, it is likely that the first Duke of Richmond was involved.
| Date | Match title | Venue | Result | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 30 June (W) | "A Great Match" | Sussex | result unknown | |
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The earliest known newspaper report of a match proclaimed to be great or a similar adjective. The report was in the Foreign Post dated Wednesday, 7 July 1697 and describes a great match at cricket that was played the middle of last week in Sussex with eleven of a side and they played for fifty guineas apiece. The stakes on offer indicate the importance of the fixture and the fact that it was eleven-a-side suggests that two strong and well-balanced teams were assembled. No other details were given but the report is evidence to support the view that top-class cricket, in the form of "great matches" played for high stakes, was in vogue in the years following the Restoration in 1660. |
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Read more about this topic: 1697 To 1725 English Cricket Seasons