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Renowned artist and former international cricketer, Jack Russell MBE, has completed his latest painting ... of Broadhalfpenny Down. He attended the celebration of 250 years of first class cricket at the end of June in the match between Hampshire All Stars and All England. Jack’s cricketing pictures are legendary; famed for his eccentricities and floppy white sunhat Jack played in 944 matches for Gloucestershire and 94 International matches for England, before retiring in 2004. Self-taught, Jack decided to become a painter as a result of frustration at being stuck inside cricket pavilions when “rain stopped play.” A limited edition of 250 high-quality prints are now available to purchase for £250 each with all proceeds going to fund the charitable work of the Broadhalfpenny Down Preservation Trust. Measuring 17.5" x 31" including a 2" white border, each giclee is personally titled and signed by Jack. The giclee print takes the standard of reproducing an original work to the top level. The 7 colour process (as opposed to the standard print 4 colour) produces superb results on museum standard acid free paper. . The thickness of the museum paper used means that your giclee cannot be rolled up in a tube so is carefully flat packed prior to posting. Once you have ordered we will then contact you to arrange it’s safe delivery. At this stage we anticipate taking orders will be taken until mid-October (and then maybe a further batch in 2023).

Legend has it that Isaac Newton formulated gravitational theory in 1666 after watching an apple fall and asking why the apple fell straight down, rather than sideways or even upward. Legend also has it that every time Mark Flewitt picks a morning pear from his beloved tree for breakfast, he scores runs. And so it was, in the penultimate Brigands match of the season against the colourful Butterflies. The foundation of the innings was laid by Northwood and Southcott, so that Flewitt could come in and score a run a ball fifty with cover drives, late cuts and leg glances in the style of Bradman or Hobbs. Brigands were able to declare on 202 for 3 and set some attacking fields. Ladenburg opened to maintain a good over rate and he and Hands bowled accurately to remove three Butterflies with 50 runs on the board. The flighty spin of Beardall encouraged shots and gained a couple of wickets so that the game was well poised with 100 to win off the last 20 overs with 5 wickets in hand. All that was to change in the two overs after drinks as Beardall enticed a catch in the deep, then picked up a wicket with a devilish quicker ball, and the ever-toiling Sargant bowled the Butterflies captain off an inside edge. It was left to a diving catch from Turner off the mesmerizing spin of Henderson to finish another fun day at Broadhalfpenny Down, with Boradhalfpenny Down Preservation Trust Chairman Beardall leading the team off to celebrate his first five-wicket haul of the season. Brigands 202-3 beat Butterflies 135 all out by 67 runs Isaac Newton's apple tree; and Mark Flewitt's pear tree Mark Flewitt, in flow

Marc Aspland from The Times travelled to Broadhalfpenny Brigands Cricket Club as part of the 250th anniversary of first class cricket. Broadhalfpenny Down in Hampshire is known as the “Cradle of Cricket” as it was the home ground of Hambledon Club during the 18th century. His photo story is captured in Times Sport Unseen which can be viewed here. For anyone that loves sport and appreciates great photography, Times Sport Unseen is highly recommended. Photographs from The Times, by Marc Aspland, reproduced with thanks

250 years after the original first class match at Broadhalfpenny Down, an MCC side took on a a Broadhalfpenny Down XI (consisting mostly of Brigands) in the sweltering heat on a brown outfield. Sam Sargant got a wicket in the first over and Mike Beardall the next two a few overs later and the MCC were under a bit of pressure. Good catching, including Neil Wood in the slips, helped and MCC were 5 down at lunchtime when the teams were given a lovely salmon lunch and a history lesson that covered the greats of the game who played in the 18th Century to how cricket’s Laws were made in Hambledon and then transferred to Lord’s. Meanwhile, Harry Bates was being filmed out in the middle as one of the "characters of cricket" (more to follow). MCC declared on 189 for 9 with Joe Kooner-Evans top scoring with 67 and Rhodri Williams hitting a rapid 35. Broadhalfpenny Down XI opened up with Dave Turner and Adam Jay, both of whom looked to be dealing with the seam and spin opening attack of Sam Martin-Jenkins and Guy Bulpitt until the last over before tea when both fell. Toby Marriott looked good until he edged a low one; Lee Gray then nicked a good one leaving the home side on 40-5. Ned Bowman rallied the middle order with 65, supported by Ed Hands, and it was run-a-ball needed in the last 20 overs. The hobbling Andy Crofts came in at 10, ended the run chase so it was all-out defence to salvage a draw which, thanks to a few drops in the dying overs, was duly achieved before the players retired to the Bat and Ball to cool down.

Last Sunday saw Brigands welcome Australia House to Broadhalfpenny Down for this annual Commonwealth match. With temperatures pushing into the thirties and with no cloud cover in sight, AHC took to the field. Unsurprisingly, the Aussies adapted to the conditions quicker than the Brigands and had the home side 20 for 3 by the 8th over. Thankfully, Guy Ladenberg and Dave Henderson recovered the situation with a partnership of 56, before Guy fell. With Henderson finding his rhythm, he and Neil Wood added a further 40 runs to the total. Henderson was eventually out for a superb 67 and with Charlie Peach and the tail wagging, Brigands finished on 203 for 8 from 42 over. Following tea, Australia House started strong and were quickly ahead of the run rate and looking comfortable at 71 for 1 after 15 overs. However, the Brigands were not about to lie down without a fight. Excellent bowling tandems of Ali/Beardall and Beardall/Wood slowed the run rate and brought 5 wickets in the space of 7 overs. Gray, Turner, Inglis and Ladenburg took a wicket apiece to reduce the AHC to 166 all out by the 34 over, completing an excellent match. At the Bat & Ball afterwards, Mo Ali was presented with his cap after 5 games for the Brigands. Brigands (203-8 dec) beat Australian High Commission (166 all out) by 37 Runs

We welcomed Toby from Cricket District, and his good friend Chandhu, as guests to play as Brigands against the MCC. They did a little video to mark their visit, featuring the camera-friendly Harry Bates; it went viral on social media with more than 40,000 plays on the first day of publication. Share with your friends and family too!

During the tea interval in the match against the MCC, the Broadhalfpenny Brigands raffle draw took place. The prizes, winning number, and winner are listed below. Thank you to everyone that has helped raise well over £1,000 for the club. Print of Broadhalfpenny Down by cricket artist Jack Russell - 0060 Martin B3 Broadhalfpenny Down signed bat - 0116 Andy Crofts Meal for two in the Bat & Ball - 0689 David Smith £25 voucher to spend at Newlyn’s Farm Shop - 0294 Philip Warren A splendid Luxury Food Hamper from British Fine Foods - 550 Peter Tomkins 18 holes of golf at Hartley Wintney Golf Club with the Chairman - 0799 David Mann 6 bottles of Morey & Fils Chassagne-Montrachet - 0233 Ewan Lovett-Turner A box of ‘Saltee’ luxury skin products - 0753 Clare 2 Bottles of Searcy’s wine and a tasting at Greyfriars Vineyard - 0471 Rebecca Fryer Bottle of sparkling wine from Hambledon Vineyard - 1000 Bryan Burns Tour & tasting vouchers for Hambledon Vineyard - 0924 Jake Peach Broadhalfpenny Down mini cricket bat, and handkerchief - 0710 Nick Linington

If the French had played cricket, would they have prevented the revolution? BBC's Clare Balding visits Broadhalfpenny Down in Hampshire, the original home of Hambledon Cricket Club, that's widely regarded as the birthplace of modern cricket. The origins of the game go back to the sixteenth century, it was a farm game, played on landed estates. Highly competitive aristocratic landowners, with money and time to spend, would employ men on their estates who were the best cricketers, so they could use them on their team. Cricket brought together landowners and their agricultural workers, they played together on the same pitch, in the same team - on a level playing field. Professor Richard Holt of the International Centre for Sports history and culture at De Montfort University explains that while we shouldn't confuse social mixing with social harmony, this picture of cricket as a village game, played on summer afternoon, everyone knowing their place on the field, has become the image of Englishness.

Brigands batted first on a very dry pitch against very accurate bowling. Only Mo Ali (35) and Dougie Henderson (25) got going and Brigands slumped from 100-5 to 114 all out. A great crowd, including the Lovett-Turner family, enjoyed the sunshine, the ice cream van, and the loverly Harris & Bailey teas. Martlet's scored 20 off the first 3 overs so were always favourites, but 2 wickets a piece for Ladenburg (straight) and Mo Alu (lively) made things interesting at 40-4. A middle-order consolidation, some lusty blows into the freshly harvested field, took the game away from the Brigands and when Henderson Senior caught the sixth wicket only 10 more runs were needed. Brigands 114 all out, Martlets 115-6 won by 4 wickets. Photos from David Henderson and Malcolm Lamb.

Broadhalfpennydown Brigands recently received a lovely letter from MCC President-Elect Stephen Fry which we thought we'd share with fellow cricket lovers. What a delight to hear from you. And from my modern club in St John’s Wood, greetings to your nobly vintage one in Holy Hambledon. I’m still pinching myself at the delight of being MCC president and receiving such warm and charming letters as yours compounds the delirious bliss most wonderfully. And thank you for my wonderful tie and handkerchief! Have a fabulous rest-of-season. Stephen Fry We are delighted to share that the MCC are visiting Broadhalfpenny Down for a men's match on 11 August and a women's match on 1 September.

I have thoroughly enjoyed the cracking matches that I have had the privilege of umpiring and it has been salutary to see the spirit of Brigands cricket, the welcoming atmosphere and the sheer fun of playing on our hallowed turf. While newspaper headlines make much of cricket’s problems elsewhere we should be proud of the Club’s achievements this year. I thank those who did so much to support the 250th Anniversary matches and make them such a success. We have had some very welcome new fixtures this year, but we should also take comfort from those teams who keep coming back because they enjoy playing the Brigands at Broadhalfpenny Down so much. Rioteers are a case in point, not only because they have been instrumental in enabling a stand of 3 new oaks to be planted down in cow corner, but they were back for the 58th Year! Their Club records go back to the formation of the Rioteers, and they asked if we could verify the first fixture as they are keen to mark the 60th anniversary in 2024. I had to point out that early records were not a speciality when the Brigands were run from HMS MERCURY. As an example, I recall on taking over the Club in 1972 arranging a meeting with our, then, two active founders Bill Wren and Bob Coomber at the Bat and Ball (where else!); armed with notebooks and pens we compiled, from memory, the list of playing members over a couple of pints. There was no other repository to fall back on! Thankfully, the committee does rather better these days and we have an excellent website for non-playing members to keep in touch. Meanwhile, there is still plenty of cricket to come including the match against MCC on 11th August after which we ease our way to the season’s end and perhaps turn our minds to some golf. Yes, having had a brief taste of BOGS (Brigands Off-Season Golf Society) last Winter I am aware of several members who wish to keep these meetings going. If you are interested, please get in touch with either the Chairman or myself (bandpburns@yahoo.co.uk) so that we know would like to join in. Enjoy the rest of this season. Bryan Burns, President, with Broadhalfpenny Brigands CC Chairman Nick Harris; umpiring in front of The Bat & Ball, and presenting a trophy to Harry Bates.

In the end, the Brigands had a comfortable victory over the Cornishmen but at 28-3 chasing 108 that outcome had not seemed likely. Cornwall won the toss and elected to bat on a wicket that ‘did a bit’ until well into the Brigands’ innings. Ed Hands and Osmond opened, bowled tightly and, in Ed’s case, with real pace, in the face of which the Cornishmen found runs difficult to come by – the first four of the innings not coming until the 15th over. The opening bowlers were well supported by the spin of Yusuf Khan, Beardall and Nick Hands, and the seam bowling of Lockie Mann. As result, wickets fell at regular intervals and Cornwall failed to build partnerships. The Brigands’ fielding backed up the bowlers well and remained tight throughout with Wood (2), Turner and Osmond all taking good catches. Apart from a six that (finally) tested the new netting, the Cornwall innings subsided to a below-par 108. Given that many scores on the Down this season have been near or above 200, the Brigands obviously assumed that knocking off the run would be relatively straightforward. However, at 28-3 with the team’s best batsmen back in the pavilion things did not seem so rosy. However, an 81-run partnership by His Honour Judge Dingemans and BDPT Chairman Beardall steadied the ship, ran singles astutely and finally dominated the bowling to see Brigands home with wickets and time to spare. Cornwall Over 60s: 108 all out (E Hands 3-4; N Hands 2-11; Beardall 2-20) Brigands: 109-3 (Beardall 42*; Dingemans 41*)

In advance of this year’s Commonwealth Games, the Queen’s Baton Relay was launched on 7 October 2021 from Buckingham Palace, where Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II placed her message to the Commonwealth inside the Baton. The Baton then departed from Birmingham for a 254-day journey travelling through each Commonwealth nation and territory in Europe, Africa, Asia, Oceania, and the Americas before returning to the UK, covering a total of 140,000 kilometres. In recognition of T20 cricket being included in this year’s games – and the celebration of the 250th anniversary of the first First-class match – the baton arrived at the Down during the match against Winchester College on 6 July.

A quick summary of Brigands cricket in July ... V Rioteers CC , Won by 6 wickets Rioteers: 192-9 dec (H Walton 4-35, Hands 2-23) Brigands: 194-4 (Gray 64*; Walton 51*) V Oundle Ramblers CC, Won by 2 wickets Oundle: 124 all out (Bath 3-12; Watson 2-14; Woolvine 2-45) Brigands: 125-8 (De Villiers 60; Smith 21) V Winchester College, Lost by 5 wickets Brigands: 146-8 in 35 overs (Jones 36; Flewitt 29; R Walton 25; H Walton 25) WinColl: 147-5 in 27.4 overs (Blackburn 2-6; Beardall 2-22) V Saints CC, Match Drawn Saints: 238-6 (Hemsley 3-22) Brigands: 199-8 (Mann 52*) V Old Seagullians CC, Match Drawn Seagullians: 212 all out Brigands: 119-8 (Ladenburg 38) V Nairobi Nomads CC, Won by 81 runs Brigands: 220-6 dec (Flewitt 50 ret; Turner 50 ret; Z Jay 46*) Nomads: 139 all out (Bath 5-33; Jemima Bowman 2-7) V Authors XI, Match Drawn Brigands: 204-9 dec (J Peach 54; Henderson 40; Jay 31*) Authors: 160-9 (J Peach 4-24; Wood 2-17; Beardall 2-30) V Whitchurch CC, Match Drawn Brigands: 188 all out (Mann 47; Turner 30) Whitchurch: 103-9 (Hands 3-18; Beardall 2-21; Northwood 2-11)

A bit of rain, Mo broke a bail with his effort ball, Jake scores a fifty and Sam hits a six to win the match by two wickets with a ball to spare. Stragglers of Asia 161-9, Broadhalfpenny Brigands 163-8.

Broadhalfpenny Down is a wonderful place for cricket lovers and, each season, we see ashes scattered at the cradle of cricket. Bill Stevens, a former member of the armed forces, had his ashes scattered by his wife recently. Aptly, she is standing here by the Hazel Baines-Waker bench on the Western boundary of the ground. Bill scored for many years with Hazel and was the match announcer for some of the charity games on the ground. Bill was fondly remembered on the day of the visit by club stalwarts Gerry Northwood and Mike Beardall.

The Summer 2022 edition of Wisden's Nightwatchman features Broadhalfpenny Down. Author Jon Hotten (who played for The Authors at Broadhalfpenny Down recently) has done a "history in fragments" picking 6 games from across the last 250 years or so. The excellent article features photography from recent Brigand's matches, the New Year's Day game, and the iconic image of Harry Bates fixing the clock. With thanks to David Henderson and Bryan Burns for their additional research. A great story, well told; and recommended reading for anyone interested in cricket. To subscribe go to https://www.thenightwatchman.net/

After some subtle persuasion by Hazel Banes-Walker, Nina began, in the 1980s, learning to score under the tuition of Cheryl Parry, the regular scorer for the Brigands. They scored together for many years, being able to produce two scorers for most matches. Nina says "it is still a lot of fun, has provided anecdotes and good friendships amongst both Brigands, visiting team members and the families that have come to support players". Many guests, and new Brigands, comment on how welcome Nina makes them feel. Dougie Henderson named Nina as one of his favourites on playing his first couple of games with the Brigands. Nina has provided invaluable help with the ground work too, from look after the beech copse and applying icepacks on bruises to making delicious teas and quietly taking care of all the little tasks that help to make cricket clubs places of fun and friendship. Nina added "It really has been and remains, a privilege to be part of the Brigands family."

Harry was invited to play cricket for the Brigands in the 1970s by Peter Cantello, though his contribution in that first match was to be mainly as an under-employed fielder at square leg. Occasional matches followed before the Royal Navy took him away from Hampshire until the late 1980s. Harry's talents were spotted as he was then invited to join the Committee and immediately and, to his surprise, became the Grounds Member. The club was then using a contractor to maintain the ground but the cost was prohibitive, so the Chairman, Anthony Banes-Walker’s solution was to do the work ourselves with a part-time groundsman – a system that remains to this day. The primary worry was the state of the equipment held by the club, it was old, (the roller was made in the 1930s) and unreliable. Over the years and with some not-so-subtle persuasion and research – equipment has been purchased and brought up to a high standard (though the 1930s roller is still in use). Harry has risen to the challenge, aided by professional advice from many sources, a 30+ year learning curve and the good services of the groundsman, Rod Price, the ground and associated facilities are in good shape. Harry said "being a member of the Broadhalfpenny Brigands has been a huge privilege as has the opportunity to play and work on the Down. The lasting friendships made amongst Brigands, members of visiting teams, and all who have given ground care advice, have enriched my life and for which I am most grateful." Harry was awarded the Dom Rock Memorial Trophy in 2021 for his services to the Brigands, and to the Broadhalfpenny Down Preservation Trust.

Brigands skipper Gerry Northwood won the toss for the second time in two games and this time elected to bat first. Suffice to say, this played better with those Brigands who are sensitive to the afternoon heat, than Sunday's decision to field first. Mark Flewitt and Dave Turner opened the Brigands account with a pair of 50s and retired to make way for the rest of the Brigands youthful yet strong batting line up. Batters 3 to 7 all played their part with the standout performance coming from Zeb Jay who totally over matched the Nomads bowlers and batted with supreme confidence to quickly ratchet up 46* at the declaration. At tea, Brigands 220 for 6. The Nomads chase stuttered on the third ball with the fall of a wicket - an audacious reverse sweep that misfired as an LBW. Thereafter, the Nomads batting settled down and there was no mistaking that their run chase was fully underway. Within the space of 8 overs they were nudging 100 before Mike Bath (5-33), Hari Walton and Jemima Bowman (2-7) steadied the ship with accurate and demanding bowling, and cut their way through the Nomads batting line up. Brigands won by 81 runs. Picture shows Jemima Bowman striking her first ball on Broadhalfpenny Down to the boundary.