Search the Cradle of Cricket

A recently unearthed manuscript from the National Archive has sparked a re-evaluation of cricket's origins. The document, dating back to 1624, details the tragic death of Jasper Vinall during a cricket match in Horsted Keynes, West Sussex. The Latin manuscript suggests that cricket was a well-established game among farmers and villagers long before the Hambledon Cricket Club formalised the Laws in the 18th century. The manuscript provides intriguing details about early cricket practices. It mentions that players paid a half-penny for their bats, indicating the game was already a commercial venture. The cricket ball that caused Vinall's death was described as being about the size of a clenched fist. This discovery has reignited the debate about the true origins of the "gentleman's game" and has drawn renewed attention to Broadhalfpenny Down, the historic cricket ground where many of the earliest matches were played and which played a pivotal role in codifying the early Laws of Cricket. In the 16th Century, during a legal case in Guildford in 1597, a man named John Derrick, aged 59, testified that he had played cricket as a boy on common land in the town. There are references to cricket as an adult sport around 1611, and of a recorded cricket match that took place in Kent in 1646. Records show that Merton Cricket Club was formed in 1685, that a delivery of brandy was received by the Goodwood Cricket Club in 1702, and that Slindon played cricket against Portsmouth in 1741. But it was not until 1744, on the hallowed grounds of Broadhalfpenny Down, that the first written "Laws of Cricket" were established. Elgan Alderman described, in The Times, "how a brewer, a farmer, and a builder" helped Broadhalfpenny Down host the first-ever first-class cricket match in 1772, and it was at this same ground that John Small made history by scoring the first-ever first-class century, cementing the location's place in cricket lore. Today, Broadhalfpenny Down is home to the Third and Fourth XIs of Hambledon Cricket Club, and the Brigands who play friendly time cricket on Sundays from Easter to mid-September. We hope to host a match against Horsted Keynes CC at Broadhalfpenny Down in the 2025 season.

Earlier this Summer, we were delighted that Fenella and Jack from Exton decided to host a pre-wedding afternoon of cricket followed by G&Ts at Broadhalfpenny Down. The invitation said "sporting attire" and it was mostly whites for the players who enjoyed a lovely match between family and friends. Broadhalfpenny Down is available to hire for private parties and weddings, and Lewis Marquees can provide different-sized tents for any occasion. Get in touch with anyone from the Contacts page if you'd like to know more.

The word “Par” derives from the Latin “equal” and the term was used in golf from the 19th Century to indicate the number of shots a golfer should take to complete each hole. In cricket there are references to a "par score" in the early 20th Century Century with the term becoming more popular when statisticians Duckworth-Lewis used par to describe what the team batting should have scored based on the concept of "team resources". For all its mathematical elegance, it’s a fair bet that Duckworth-Lewis would agree that a first innings par score at Broadhalfpenny Down was 180; 15% less would mean a likely loss and 15% more would be a probable draw. Brigands won the toss and batted, a decision influenced by one batter being stuck in Victorious Festival traffic and another late because he was busy doing jobs around the house. The visitors, Butterflies CC, are a team made up of old boys from six of Englands most traditional schools; they wear brightly coloured caps, are young and athletic, and play in a good spirit. The new ball was difficult to hit and zipped around on a lively pitch. Just 6 runs from 6 overs, then a steady fall of wickets; David Mann bowled, Rupert Preece caught, Charlie Clarke yorked, and then Gerry Northwood LBW. The score was 41-4 and a par score of 180 looked a long way off. Dave Henderson came into bat and survived a loud LBW appeal first ball, the bowler was so confident that he appealed twice in exasperation. Henderson and debutant Jude Wright then counter attacked with contrasting styles; Henderson cut and pulled, Wright straight drove and leg flicked, and the pair doubled the score in just 6 overs. Wright hit 2 sixes and 10 fours in his 76, Henderson hit 10 fours in his 76, and was last man out with the score on 197, a score better than par. It was a community-cricket-tea; everyone did something of which the highlights were sandwiches from Preece and home made cake from the Northwood’s. There was a chance to appreciate our scorers, who for this match included Peter Danks and Caroline Green who is considered to be amongst the best scorers in England. Brigands were pleased to see Mike Beardall walking around the boundary, slowly, after heart surgery and we look forward to seeing him bagging wickets next season. On a day of strong winds (the sight screens blew over three times) Neil Wood gave the ball extra flight and wobble, and he bowled the dangerous Butterfly Tom Perry first ball. His partner, Alex Benson hit 14 quickly then went back and was bowled by a straight ball that kept low from Wood. It was so windy that Mark Smith didn’t hear the call of “heads” from a panicked Charlie Clark whose throw from the boundary hit the Square Leg Umpire on the back of his head; he retired hurt as a Tom & Jerry bruise started to emerge. Ed Wyld and Harry Altham got the score to 60 before the Butterflies fluttered by; Dave Turner got a wicket with a slow straight one and Lee Gray hit the top of off stump with two snorting deliveries. Peter Stearn then bounced out Butterflies skipper Oscar Chalk, who sportingly walked when he gloved to the keeper. Surprisingly, this was the only catch of the innings, and Butterflies finished on 132 all out.

In the art world, Joseph William Turner and John Singer Sargant were revered artists with very different techniques. In cricket, Dave Turner and Sam Sargant are much-loved cricketers with their own styles for playing the game.   Turner’s brushwork was more varied, looser and expressive, with an abstract quality; much like Dave Turner’s batting who scored 19 valuable runs.   Sargant’s brushwork was more controlled, more precise, and more realistic; a bit like Sam Sargant's strikes to the leg-side on his way to 65 off just 36 balls.   Their 7th wicket stand of 91 rescued Brigands who had fallen to 51-6 off 22 overs with batters getting out to a mix of good bowling and bad shots. Brigands finished on 154 all out; there was a shot-of-the-day cover drive from Paul Whittle, a stoic 11 from Jim Morris, and even Paul Bailey batted (while club legend Sue Bailey scored).   Hands and Wood opened the bowling; Hands picked up three wickets in his first spell and Wood another (the batter was Harry Woolvine who was bowled around his legs) as the visitors struggled at 38-4.   But Ashford Hill sent in the man they call “King” Khan to save the day. He scored 4 off his first 18 balls, then 67 off his next 36 balls. The tough target of 91 in the final hour became a little easier when Sargant was smashed for 27 off two overs despite most of the fielders stationed on the boundary. Khan was a game-changer.   Dave Turner took a stunning catch off his own bowling, and Henderson took a high catch in the deep, but Ashford Hill won with 4 wickets in hand and 3 overs remaining.   Not a masterpiece, but a lovely game of cricket with a tasty match tea and a refreshing beer between two friendly sides at the cradle of cricket. Highlights ... Brigands 154 all out lost to Ashford Hill 155-6 by 4 wickets   Turner and Sargant, the artists

The Paris 2024 Olympics closed with Australia's highest-ever medal tally led by the Nation's women. And it was Alice Chambers who stole the show for the Aussies on their annual visit to the cradle of cricket, taking 5 wickets for 36 in a devastating spell. It was even more remarkable as the 5 wickets fell in just 9 balls and included a Mo Ali duck. Harry Collier (68) and Ewan Lovett-Turner (23) had both batted beautifully until the collapse, which saw Brigands slump from 116-1 to 124-7. Guy Ladenburg (31) helped Brigands get to 176 all out. A feature of the innings was 8 catches; the visitors were exemplary in the field. In reply, "Aussie House" were stunned by an opening spell from Mo Ali, still upset at getting out earlier in the day, which saw him bag 3 wickets (all bowled) for 1 run in 3 overs. Neil Wood picked up a caught and bowled. Collins got going with the bat, but when he was superbly caught by Lovett-Turner at slip the momentum was lost. Brigands were beginning to out-field Australia House and Lovett-Turner took two more sharp catches at slip, one off Richie Hay and one off Guy Ladenburg. Australia High Commission finished 113 all out, and 63 runs short. There were Gold Medals for Batter (Harry Collier), Bowler (Mo Ali), All-Rounder (Guy Ladenburg), Fielder (Ewan Lovett-Turner), Match Manager (Ed Hands)m Groundsperson (Pete Tomkins), and Umpire (Bryan Burns). And then off to The Bat & Ball to celebrate a Brigands performance that was Swifter, Higher, Stronger, and Together.

Cricket can be unpredictable. Brigands set a challenging target of 216 for the Sussex Martlets, which looked like it was going to be a doddle at 106-1 with just 110 needed from 20 overs. But, it came down to a final over from Rafi Abdeen and then 2 to win off the last ball when he bowled out Hamish Duncan on his birthday. Families enjoyed drinks on the boundary, and even a game of chess (Margot Turner won with "check-mate with a rook") at Broadhalfpenny Down. Lee Gray's cover drives were the batting highlight of the day.

Time stood still literally as old friends Whitchurch visited the Down on a warm and sunny Wednesday afternoon on what was the 50th anniversary of their first visit. It was a fantastic afternoon of cricket, teas and friendship as skipper for the day Wood went out to the middle with the Whitchurch skipper and old friend of the Brigands, Os. Brigands won the toss and elected to bat. The batting order was describeas “fluid” as both DT and Morris were en route as the game got underway. Jay Snr went early with no score on the board to be replaced with Jay Jnr who soon joined him back in the pavilion with only 4 on the board. JST joined Flewitt at the wicket and the pair added 37 runs for the 3rd wicket before Flewitt fell for 19. Brigands were confident with a strong middle order and they all delivered with JST(21), Morris(26), DT(24) and Blackburn(23) all contributing to the score heading above 100 and leaving the path open for Ladenburg who was fresh from his 102 on Sunday but could he guide Brigands to the target of 180? As Ladenburg fell for 31 Brigands were 15 short of the target and it was left to debutant Pitts and Whittle to guide the home team to 186 before skipper Wood decided it was time for tea. The tea was superb and welcomed by both teams and the throng of the great and good from Brigands history. It seemed such a shame to leave the tea but needs must and every game has 2 innings. Wood chose himself and Ladenburg to open the bowling and it was Ladenburg who struck twice in his first 2 overs to leave the visitors at 3-2 after 4 overs. Wood turned to Pitts to test his bowing ability after 9 years out of the game but there wasn’t any reward for the bowler. At the other end DT took over from Ladenburg and picked up a wicket in his first over to leave the visitors 48-3 at the first drinks break. Wood brought himself back on with some even slower left arm round before asking Blackburn and Morris to chance their arm. Morris quickly realised it was short spells so bowled 12 deliveries in his only over even dropping a caught and bowled chance! At the other end, DT mixed economy with wickets helped by catches from Ladenburg and Blackburn as the visitors were 111-6 at the second drinks break. The skipper changed his bowlers and Ladenburg picked up a wicket before DT completed his 5-wicket haul with Flewitt taking a stunning slip catch to dismiss the dangerous Whitchurch skipper for a well-constructed 56. The last 2 overs saw Brigands needing 2 wickets and the visitors needing 31 runs. Wood took the 9th wicket leaving Brigands Bailey to face Ladenburg in the last over. Bailey did a spot of fishing but couldn’t gift Brigands the win. A great afternoon of cricket and friendship especially with Harry orchestrating everything from his spot on the sidelines. A massive thanks to everyone who helped make Harry’s day work. It was a real team effort.

Thanks to our friends at Spice Productions we get to see a unique view of the Brigands v Authors cricket match, and the surrounding farmland, taken in July 2024.

Award-winning Times photographer Marc Aspland came to photograph the Broadhalfpenny Brigands v MCC match during the heatwave of 2022. Click on the button below to read Marc's photo essay that captured a magical day at the Cradle of Cricket.

Brigands are fortunate to have an interested set of former players and supporters who continue to give their time and love to the club. More than a dozen of them assembled for the game against Whitchurch. Pictured, standing left to right are Nick Harris, Harry Bates, Gill Lovett-Turner, Nigel Lovett-Turner. Seated left to right are Nina Bates, Peter Tomkins, unknown (partner of Whitchurch CC player), Bobby Tomkins, Clive Barnett; Bill Evershed, Judy Barnett, Penny Evershed, Selina Musters, Heather Newman, Roy Newman and John Musters. Photograph from Adam Jay

It's been a mixed season thus far with wins, losses, and draws evenly distributed. Pleasingly, there have been a few last-over finishes where both teams had something to play for. Despite the rather cool, damp summer thus far, only 2 games have been lost to weather. The Spond app has been used this season to help the Team Selector and Match Managers administer teams for individual games. We are still finding our feet with it but it remains our best option for managing availability and selecting teams so please support by providing up-to-date availability. Many thanks to all those who have paid their annual subscriptions or arranged a direct debit. For those who are still in arrears, the club membership fees for 2024 are £72 for playing members and £15 for youth, student, and non-playing members. Broadhalfpenny Brigands CC account for payments is Sort:775012 Number: 31225668 Each year there is the requirement to trim the hedges that surround the Down. Whilst contractors are brought in to do the ‘trimming’ their costs are significantly reduced if volunteers can move the arisings to the nearby woods. Date is to be arranged but please let Richie Hay know if you'd like to help. Following the final game of the season, Harry intends to rennovate the Square. This will involve unloading topsoil and spreading it where needed. Volunteers are requested to help with this task. We are planning a Ground closure and ‘End of Season BBQ’ on 14 September. There is the Annual Club dinner on Saturday 5 October at 7pm with details. to be emailed in August. The Club AGM is the next day starting at 11am. The Chairman will write separately on the governance of Brigands CC and it’s relationship with the soon-to-be defunct Broadhalfpenny Down Preservation Trust. It is the intention to circulate options for this to the membership ahead of the AGM itself to enable members to fully participate in the meeting. The Committee hope to see a large turn-out of members at the AGM. Yours aye Richie Hay Hon. Secretary brigandscchonsec@gmail.com

Hampshire County Cricket Club Pitch Advisors Nigel Gray & Lee Padwick, with the Grounds Management Association’s Phil Jeggo, share their wisdom on preparing and maintaining pitches at the cradle of cricket.

Harry Bates shows how a forward defense might have looked at Broadhalfpenny Down when the first games of cricket were being played here. Back then, there was underarm bowling and two stumps, not three.

Four years ago we embarked on a plan to source beautiful photographs of Broadhalfpenny Down and put them on Wikipedia, Bing, Google and Apple Maps, and across our social media channels. This week we hit a milestone with over 10,000 viewers of our photographs on Google Maps alone, which all helps with telling the story of The Hambledon Club and the role Broadhalfpenny Down played in the development of cricket we know today. Thank-you to all the photographers who have generously allowed us to share their work with cricket lovers across the world.

Some men are born lucky. Others are born Neil Wood. Playing cricket on his birthday at the ground he loves, Wood opened the batting with a sublime 24, and bagged his first 5 wicket haul of the season in a Brigands victory. After the game, he was seen on the pitch with a pint in hand with the kind of smile you see 007 wear at the end of a Bond movie.   His opening partner, Guy Ladenburg, hit a fine 70, his batting free-spirited and adventurous like Huckleberry Finn, and his classy drives provided a great backdrop to the film interviews taking place on the pavilion balcony.   Dave Turner made an uncomplicated 23. He defended the straight balls and hit the wide ones. The film crew moved from the Pavilion and were flying a drone overhead, capturing the tense moment when Gerry Northwood survived a hat-trick ball, and then the sixes that Dave Henderson hit on his way to a quick-fire 54. The 200 came up with a wide bowled by author Charlie Campbell; Brigands supporters on the boundary clapped and those playing, unaware of the milestone, assumed it was a local tradition to applaud an opposition wide.   The declaration came in the same over. The young Turner girls told us to expect a great tea because “Mummy makes the best cakes”, and they didn’t exaggerate.  A great spread was enjoyed while Brigands Caps were presented to new players this season, Peter Stearn and Rafi Abdeen.   Lee Gray bowled fast down the hill, Rafi Abdeen floated his spinners up it, and into a cross breeze. The Authors openers, Taylor and Duggan, attacked from the start; 26-0 off 5 overs became 56-0 off 10 overs. As cricket-loving Arthur Conan-Doyle might have said, the run chase was afoot.   Neil Wood came into the attack; the change worked and he had his first of the day with an in-swinging middle stump yorker. The 20th over was pivotal. Rafi came back onto bowl and induced Taylor into an attacking drive too many, and then the very next ball a flighted spinner pitched on leg stump and hit off stump. Wood’s next over removed Wisden columnist Jon Hotten and Brigands were right on top.   Peter Stearn bowled well without reward, and Authors continued to keep the run rate required below 7 per over.   Gerry Northwood came on to confuse the opposition, and he bowled Charlie Campbell in his first over. When the big-hitting Ben Falk hit Rafi towards the Monument, it was a six or out moment; another epic catch from Gray and Brigands had taken 9 wickets with only one wordsmith to go.   As the Number 11 came out to bat wearing white clothes and black pads one wondered whether a similar combination had been seen in 250 years of cricket at Broadhalfpenny Down. It was a fleeting sight that lasted just one ball.   The Brigands and Authors posed for team photos and enjoyed a barbecue and sundowner beer, whilst Neil Wood made a birthday wish that every Sunday could be as special as this one, at the cradle of cricket.   Brigands 205-6 beat The Authors 159 all out by 46 runs. Thank you to Spice Productions for the aerial photos.

Today we host the cricket-loving Authors CC. Expect brilliant writers, eloquent podcasters, and enthusiastic cricketers enjoying a Sunday afternoon of cricket where it all began. There is a barbeque starting at 6 pm and local beers available on the ground, as well as at the Bat & Ball.

Alcaraz beet Djokovic in the tennis at Wimbledon, Spain ended England's hopes and dreams in the European Football Championships, and Donald Trump was shot at during a political rally in the USA. But not much happened of note at Broadhalfpenny Down. Brigands batted first and, despite a small boundary, couldn't hit it off the square. Brigands are averaging over 5 runs per over this season, and often accelerate at the 20-over mark. Against a strong Gulls attack Brigands crawled to 60 off 20 overs and then after drinks the runs dried up. It left the Captain, Ewan Lovett-Turner, the awkward task of declaring with a below-par score of 140-7 with wickets in hand. The Old Boys of St Andrews University made light work of the chase, swinging the bat and hitting the first two balls of the innings for a six and a four. The only highlights were superb fast bowling from Lee Gray and a direct hit run out from Steve Blackburn who watched the batter ground his bat then let go of the handle as the bails were dislodged. Brigands 140-7 declared lost to Old Seagullians 141-3 by 7 wickets.

Some distinguished lunchtime guests at Lord's were treated to a Broadhalfpenny Down souvenir handkerchief. The fundraising event was organised on behalf of The Lord's Taverners and the Graham Gooch Scholarship Fund, and featured speeches from Graeme Swann and Graham Gooch, a beautiful sit-down lunch, and a game of heads and tails. Shop for gifts

The kiwi fruit is a case study in rebranding. Originally known as the Chinese Gooseberry, the furry green fruit was renamed in 1959 after the flightless birds endemic to New Zealand and sales took off. And so a Kiwi Pavlova was made especially for the visit of the unbeatable London New Zealand, baked by man-about-the-marquee Leon; a highlight at tea on a scorching hot day in the Hambledon valley. Harry and Nina hard at work, Leon with his Kiwi Pavlova, Mo Ali in the field with the pavilion behind, Brigands toiling in the heat enjoy drinks Earlier, the Kiwis had hit Brigands opening bowlers all over the Down. It was only when pace was taken off the ball that wickets fell, with the mercurial Mike Beardall bagging three and Neil Wood picking up two. Zeb fielded wearing headphones hopeful for a Manchester City meltdown in the Premier League that never came. There were a couple of drops deflected for 6 and four catches in the deep that would have otherwise gone for 6. It was that sort of day. A sporting declaration at 186-7 meant all results were possible and the pendulum swung towards the brigands when Guy Ladenburg (with a borrowed bat) and Mo Ali (with a broken thumb) put on 25 in 3 overs for the first wicket. The pendulum swung back towards the Kiwis once Dave Henderson’s (36) dismissal triggered a mini collapse as Brigands fell from 103-3 to 115-8. New Zealand legend Kane Williamson visited Broadhalfpenny Down in 2021; he has the fourth highest batting average across the final innings of test matches using a simple approach of picking the gaps. Adam Jay (42) and Neil Wood (23) emulated him by patiently working the ball between fielders taking quick singles and punishing the rare bad balls. Their mature 40 partnership meant there was a chance, just a chance of victory. But when Jay missed a straight one it was the tenth wicket either bowled, LBW or caught behind; the rewards of bowling straight, and a win for the Kiwis by 29 runs. A final note of thanks to Caroline Beardall for scoring with a smile, to Peter Tompkins and Clive Barnett for great Umpiring in the heat, and to Lee Gray fo military-grade match management. Sam Martin on his way to a 6 wicket haul, one of which is Paul Whittle caught behind. Jay on the charge, Wood bowled, Handshakes with the Bat & Ball behind, and Kane Williamson on his visit to the ground in 2021 A happy Adam Jay, Player of the Match, receives his New Zealand wine London New Zealand 186-7 declared best Brigands 157 all out by 29 runs Photos by Dougie Henderson, Dave Henderson & Kris Newton

You know you are in for a challenge when a team turns up in smart blazers, with their own chef, and have a pre-match warm-up routine. Midway through a tour of the finest grounds in Yorkshire, Hampshire, Sussex, and London, Old Tablelands CC had a playing squad of 20 that was already down to 14 fit men. Meanwhile, Brigands had their own travails with injuries and dropouts and were thankful the three Manns (father and two sons) stepped up to complete the line-up which featured 5 debutants. The first wicket came off a Dave Henderson floated ball that was hit high to the square leg boundary where debutant Charlie Wilson declared loudly he couldn’t see the ball in the sun, and then proceeded to take a diving catch. Off-spinners Oscar Mann (1-18) and Robbie James (1-15), another debutant, were the pick of the bowlers, with Richie Hay providing good support. When an over was needed, team man Paul Whittle bowled for just the second time this year. Old Tablelands reached 168 from their 25 overs. James Stratford Tuke, like many before, was out for a duck on his Brigands debut and then a procession of Brigands batters hit the ball in the air to fielders who could actually catch a cricket ball; it was so unfair! With the score at 24-5 it was down to David Mann and Paul Whittle to restore some pride. The inform Neil Wood entertained the crown with a handful of boundaries too and Brigands, in the end, fell just over 30 runs short. Presentations were made, ties were exchanged, and stories were told of cricket and wine in rural New Zealand before a pub supper at the Bat & Ball. The Kiwis saw a photograph of Kane Williamson on his visit to the cradle of cricket in the display cabinet and they remarked how proud they were of his reputation as the nicest test player in world cricket. The Brigands who left the pub at the end of the evening declared Old Tablelands the nicest club in world cricket.