List of English cricketers (1701–1786)

This is a list of English cricketers who were first recorded in historically important matches played between the 1701 and 1786 seasons. People known to have participated before 1701 are listed under Earliest known participants. 1786 was the season before Thomas Lord, backed by the White Conduit Club (WCC), opened his original ground in May 1787, with Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) being founded soon afterwards. Players who were first recorded in or after the 1787 season may be found in List of English cricketers (1787–1825).

In the 18th century, more information is available in the sources than in the 17th, so it is easier to identify the active players, and the clubs or county teams with which they were most usually associated. Although some people like the Dukes of Richmond are remembered primarily as patrons, they were invariably players too, and generally captained their own teams. Cricket underwent radical changes during the 18th century. Patronage and popular support enabled it to outgrow its roots as a village pastime, and develop into a major sport in southeast England which had begun its spread through the rest of the country by 1787. The Laws of Cricket were first written in 1744, and revised in 1774. In the early 1760s, pitched delivery bowling was introduced, and this necessitated the invention of the straight bat: an evolution in bowling and batting techniques.

Inter-county matches were fairly common from about 1730, but they were mostly organised on an ad hoc basis, and there was no formal championship. The main county teams were Hampshire, Kent, Surrey, and Sussex. By the end of the period, Berkshire, Essex, and Middlesex had also become prominent. A key feature was the parish or town club, some of which effectively represented their counties. Among them were Chertsey, Dartford, Hambledon, London, Nottingham, Sheffield, and Slindon. Many matches involved occasional XIs named after their patrons, and teams labelled as England.

Much of our knowledge about 18th century players has come from match scorecards. The earliest known scorecards date from 1744, but only a handful exist from then until 1772 when they began to be completed and preserved on a regular basis. As such, the sport's statistical record begins in 1772, but scorecards until the Lord's Pavilion fire in July 1825 are often incomplete, or have been irretrievably lost. Key sources for the more important historical record are the works of Arthur Haygarth, F. S. Ashley-Cooper, H. T. Waghorn, G. B. Buckley, Rowland Bowen, Tim McCann, and Ian Maun, among others.

Note #1: Online databases are excluded from this work as the scope is historical, and NOT statistical. Note #2: The list is not necessarily exhaustive, as ongoing research is always likely to discover additional information. Note #3: Inline citations reference the debut or earliest known mention of each player. Note #4: Where a player's name is preceded by a symbol, the article is a redirect to this list.

A name club/county years notes Edward Aburrow Sr Slindon and Sussex 1744–1751 Also known as "Cuddy", he was a notorious smuggler. An outstanding bowler, and a noted single wicket player. Father of "Curry" Aburrow. Edward Aburrow Jr Hambledon and Hampshire 1772–1782 Also known as "Curry", a Hampshire regular to 1782. Son of "Cuddy" Aburrow. Allen Dartford, Kent, and Middlesex 1747–1759 Recorded in one match in 1747. Ashley-Cooper says he "afterwards played for Middlesex". Also played for England in 1759. Stephen Amherst Kent 1783–1795 An occasional patron of Kent cricket who was Thomas Boxall's employer. William Anderson London 1745–1753 Mentioned in match reports from 1745 to 1752. It is believed a benefit match was held for him in 1753. Andrews Slindon and Sussex 1744 Played in the London v Slindon match. Mr Andrews Sunbury and Surrey 1730 A Surrey patron who challenged the 2nd Duke of Richmond's XI in 1730. Ashby (aka Ashley) Coulsdon 1775 Known to have been an amateur. Played against Chertsey in 1775. Henry Hervey Aston WCC and Hampshire 1785–1793 Amateur player. He became an army officer, and was killed in a duel in 1798. Recorded in thirteen matches to 1793. Henry Attfield Surrey 1773–1789 Also known as "Field". James Aylward Hambledon and Hampshire 1773–1797 Noted batsman who had a long career. He made a known record score of 167 in 1777. Later played for Kent.

B name club/county years notes Baker Hampshire 1777 Recorded in one match in 1777. Baldwin Dartford 1775 Recorded as playing in the 1775 London v Dartford match. Thomas Baldwin Chertsey 1764–1775 Active in the 1760s. Bamford Nottingham 1771 A member of the Nottingham teams that played Sheffield in 1771 and 1772. William Barber Hambledon and Hampshire 1769–1777 Noted bowler, probably fast-medium. Barker Essex 1785 Amateur player. Recorded in four matches to 1793. Rev. Charles Bartholomew Chertsey 1775 One of the Bartholomew family who played in the 1770s, and perhaps earlier. Robert Bartholomew Surrey 1750 Probably part of the cricketing family, he was also an innkeeper. William Bartholomew Chertsey and Surrey 1773 A member of the Bartholomew family, recorded in 1773. Bartram Kent 1744 Played for Kent against England. S. Bartram Duke of Dorset's XI 1769 Named in Dorset's XI against Wrotham in 1769. Bassden London 1775 Recorded as playing in the 1775 London v Dartford match. James Bayley Hambledon and Hampshire 1773 Made four known appearances from 1773 to 1783. John Bayton Hambledon and Hampshire 1768 Noted batsman of the late 1760s whose career apparently ended in the early 1770s. Captain Beak none 1731 Took part in an early single wicket contest against Lieutenant Coke. Duke of Bedford Bedfordshire 1741 A patron who captained his county team. William Bedle Dartford and Kent 1709 Bedle's 1768 obituary states that he was the "most expert cricket player in England". William Bedster Surrey and Middlesex 1777 Noted batsman who played regularly to 1794. Was at one time the Earl of Tankerville's butler. Belch Berkshire 1785 Recorded as playing in the 1785 Berkshire v Essex match. Billy Beldham Hampshire and Surrey 1785 One of the greatest players of the pre-roundarm era. Active from 1787 to 1821. John Bell Dartford and Kent 1747 Noted wicket-keeper. Brother of Thomas Bell. Thomas Bell Dartford and Kent 1747 Brother of John Bell. Condemned to death in 1762, but later reprieved. Bellchambers Surrey 1768–1769 Recorded in two matches to 1769. Benick Coulsdon 1775 Played against Chertsey in 1775. Little Bennett London 1744–1755 Brothers who were noted in contemporary reports as two of the best batsmen of their time. In three matches, only "Bennett" is given by the sources, so it is not known which was involved in those matches. Tall Bennett Berwick Surrey and Hampshire 1779 Made six known appearances from 1779 to 1780. Bidewell Kent 1777 Recorded in one match in 1777. Birchet Surrey 1768 Recorded in two matches in 1768. Birdeye London 1775 Recorded as playing in the 1775 London v Dartford match. Bishop Duke of Dorset's XI 1769 Named in Dorset's XI against Wrotham in 1769. Blake Surrey 1773 Recorded in one match in 1773. Blake Caterham 1768 Named in a tentative reference to the Bourne v Caterham match in 1768. Boltwood England 1778 Recorded in one match in 1778. Henry Bonham Hampshire 1776–1778 Amateur player; recorded in two matches. Francis Booker Kent 1773 Left-handed batsman and noted fielder who played regularly until 1790. John Boorman Kent and Essex 1768 Prominent bowler who played in matches till 1793. John Boots Sussex 1737 Village cricket player who died during a match after colliding with another player. George Boult Sr Berkshire and Middlesex 1785–1795 Amateur player. Recorded in 23 known matches to 1795. John Bowra Bromley 1739 Known as the "Kentish Shepherd" and believed to be the father of William Bowra. His name was also spelled "Borah". William Bowra Kent and Sussex 1769 Probably the son of John Bowra. Sound middle-order batsman who is believed to have been a good close fielder. Thomas Brandon Dartford and Kent 1750 A noted batsman who was mentioned in match reports from 1750 to 1759. William Brazier Kent 1774 All-rounder who played in matches from 1774 to 1794, but was absent 1777–1781. Thomas Brett Hambledon and Hampshire 1769 Outstanding fast bowler who was acclaimed for his combination of speed and accuracy. Briggs Risborough 1775 Recorded as a given man in one match in 1775. Broad Addington and Surrey 1745 Mentioned in match reports from 1745 to 1750. Brobham Dartford and Kent 1768 Recorded in one single wicket match in 1768 and a match for Dartford in 1775. Alan Brodrick Surrey 1727 A Surrey patron who was partly responsible for drawing up the first known rules of the game. James Bryant Bromley and Kent 1744 Brother of John Bryant. One of the best players for the Kent county team and a key member of Bromley Cricket Club. John Bryant Bromley and Kent 1743 Brother of James Bryant. One of the best players for the Kent county team and a key member of Bromley Cricket Club. William Bullen Kent 1773 Outstanding all-rounder who was prolific until 1800. First bowler ever to be definitely credited with 5 wickets in an innings. Burchwood Dartford and Kent 1759 Noted bowler who played for Dartford in their three 1759 matches. Burkin Coulsdon 1775 Played against Chertsey in 1775. Peter Burrell Coulsdon & MCC 1777–1790 An occasional patron who was one of the original members of MCC. Butler London 1744 Played in the London v Slindon match.

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