One of the most significant figures in the history of cricket was George Finch, 9th Earl of Winchilsea (1752 Р1826). His main contributions to the game were patronage and organisation, but Winchilsea was also very keen player. Even so, it has to be said that Winchilsea on the field was something of a liability, despite using a bat that weighed 4lb 2oz. For the insect, see Cricket (insect). ... 1752 was a leap year starting on Saturday (see link for calendar). ... The oldest surviving photograph, Nic̩phore Ni̩pce, circa 1826 1826 (MDCCCXXVI) was a common year starting on Sunday (see link for calendar) of the Gregorian calendar (or a common year starting on Tuesday of the 12-day-slower Julian calendar). ...

Winchilsea is the winner of the title of Most Recorded Player of the 18th century, though he was far from the best. He has 138 recorded first-class appearances from 1785 to 1800, which just beats George Louch (134), Tom Walker (131), William Bullen (120) and William Beldam (117). This is remarkable given that Winchilsea was already 32 before he even played in a major match. Tom Walker (born 16 November 1762 at Churt, near Frensham, Surrey; died 1 March 1831 at Chiddingfold, Surrey) was an English cricketer. ... William Beldam (born 5 February 1766 in Wrecclesham, just outside Farnham in Surrey; died 20 February 1862 at Tilford, Surrey), was adjudged one of the greatest cricketers in England during the Napoleonic era. ...

Winchilsea was also a military man and in his younger days he served with the 87th Foot in the American Revolutionary War from 1776 to 1780, finishing as a lieutenant-colonel. His title dates back to 1628 and still exists with a 17th Earl in situ at the time of writing. Combatants American Revolutionaries, France, Netherlands, Spain, Native Americans Great Britain, German mercenaries, Loyalists, Native Americans Commanders George Washington, Comte de Rochambeau, Nathanael Greene William Howe, Henry Clinton, Charles Cornwallis (more commanders) The American Revolutionary War (1775–1783), also known as the American War of Independence,[1] was a war between... This article is about the year 1776. ... 1780 was a leap year starting on Saturday (see link for calendar). ... Events March 1 - writs were issued in February 1628 by Charles I of England that every county in England (not just seaport towns) pay ship tax by this date. ...

In about 1784, Winchilsea was one of the prime movers in the foundation of the White Conduit Club (WCC), so–called because it played on White Conduit Fields. WCC was ostensibly an exclusive club that "only gentlemen" might play for, but the club did employ professionals and one of these was the bowler Thomas Lord, a man who was recognised for his business acumen as well as his bowling ability. 1784 was a leap year starting on Thursday (see link for calendar). ... The White Conduit Club, although short-lived, was perhaps the most significant club in cricket history for it bridged the gulf between the rural and rustic Hambledon era and the new, modern and metropolitan era of MCC and Lords, the two entities that it spawned. ... Thomas Lord (born in Thirsk, Yorkshire on 23 November 1755; died in West Meon, Hampshire on 13 January 1832) was an English cricketer most famous for founding Lords cricket ground, the ground that is now known as the Home of Cricket and the Marylebone Cricket Club. ...

It was in 1785 that WCC as such first appeared in a major match. And so things might have continued except that White Conduit Fields was an open area allowing members of the public, including the rowdier elements, to watch the matches and to voice their opinions on the play and the players. The White Conduit gentlemen were not amused by such interruptions and decided to look for a more private venue of their own.

Winchilsea and Colonel Charles Lennox commissioned Lord to find a new ground and offered him a guarantee against any losses he may suffer in the venture. So Lord took a lease from the Portman Estate on some land at Dorset Fields in Marylebone, where Dorset Square is now sited; the ground was prepared and opened in 1787. The first match was on Monday 21 May 1787 was between the White Conduit Club and Middlesex. Charles Lennox, 4th Duke of Richmond and Lennox (born at Gordon Castle, near Thirsk, Scotland on 9 December 1764; died near Perth, Ontario, Canada on August 28, 1819) was a British soldier and politician. ... Marylebone (sometimes written St. ... 1787 was a common year starting on Monday (see link for calendar). ... May 21 is the 141st day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (142nd in leap years). ...

This was Lord's first ground. It was originally called the New Ground but was soon renamed Lord's Cricket Ground and, since it was in Marylebone, the WCC on relocating there decided to call themselves Marylebone Cricket Club. The Earl of Winchilsea was one of its early leading lights. The Pavilion The Grand Stand Match in progress The Media Centre at Lords Cricket Ground This memorial stone to Lord Harris is in the Harris Garden at Lords Lords Cricket Ground is a cricket ground in St Johns Wood in London, at grid reference TQ268827. ... Lords 2005 The Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC), founded in 1787, is a private members club and was the original governing body of cricket in England and across the world. ...

References

• A Social History of English Cricket by Derek Birley
• Association of Cricket Statisticians and Historians - various publications
• Cricket: History of its Growth and Development by Rowland Bowen
• Fresh Light on 18th Century Cricket by G B Buckley (FL18)
• Fresh Light on Pre-Victorian Cricket by G B Buckley (FLPV)
• From the Weald to the World by Peter Wynne-Thomas (PWT)
• Hambledon Cricket Chronicle by F S Ashley-Cooper (HCC)
• Hambledon: Men and Myths by John Goulstone (HMM)
• Scores & Biographies, Volume 1 by Arthur Haygarth (SBnnn)
• Start of Play by David Underdown
• The Cricketer magazine (Cktr)
• The Dawn of Cricket by H T Waghorn (WDC)
• The Glory Days of Cricket by Ashley Mote
• John Nyren's "The Cricketers of my Time" by Ashley Mote
• Wisden Cricketers Almanack (annual): various issues