The 1772 English cricket season was notable in English cricket history because it is from then that surviving scorecards are common. There are three scorecards from 1772, all recording matches that were organised by the Hambledon Club. There are surviving scorecards for every single season since 1772 and these provide a continuous statistical record (albeit an incomplete one till the mid-19th century) that is now the basis of first-class cricket statistics.
Hampshire twice defeated All-England but lost to Kent by 2 wickets in the three recorded matches before defeating Surrey in an unrecorded match. The leading bowlers of the day were Thomas Brett of Hampshire and Lumpy Stevens of Chertsey and Surrey, although the scorecards of this year have not preserved any bowling or fielding data. But the outstanding player of the season in terms of known records was the Hampshire batsman John Small, while William Yalden of Chertsey and Surrey also achieved good scores.
Re the matches on 10-11 and 26–27 August, the sources occasionally refer to teams raised by the Hambledon Club as being representative of both Hampshire and Sussex. Sussex as a county team is rarely mentioned during the "Hambledon Era".
Read more about 1772 English Cricket Season: Significant Matches, Other Events, First Mentions, Leading Batsmen, Leading Bowlers, Leading Fielders & Wicket-keepers
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