Mitcham Cricket Green

Mitcham Cricket Green is a cricket ground in Mitcham, south London (historically in Surrey). It is the home of Mitcham Cricket Club and is reportedly the oldest cricket ground still in use, having been used for cricket since 1685.[1]

Mitcham Cricket Green
Cricket match on Mitcham Cricket Green
LocationMitcham, Merton (previously Surrey)
Home clubMitcham Cricket Club
County clubSurrey CCC Second XI
Establishment1685

History

In the 19th century, the Australian cricket team would stay at The Cricketers pub which formerly overlooked the green and practise on the green whilst on tour. The pub also held the changing rooms for the club during the late 18th century, with the scorer having a position on the balcony of the inn. The Cricketers has since been demolished but was adjacent to the Vestry Hall which overlooks the north boundary. The present pavilion was built in 1904 and is rare in being one of only a few cricket pavilions to be separated from the ground by a road, (the A239).[2]

Surrey County Cricket Club first used the ground in 1949 for a match in the Minor Counties Championship.[3] Surrey continued to use the ground for 2nd XI matches until 1973. Its first usage in the Second XI Championship was for a match in 1959.[4] Surrey has never used Mitcham for a first-class match.

The most notable match of recent times was the Golden Jubilee Challenge Match, a match held between Mitcham and Hambledon Club, two of the oldest clubs in the country, in honour of the Golden Jubilee of Elizabeth II. Ian Botham made a guest appearance with the Queen's Jubilee Baton. The match was a two innings affair.[1]

Local government

The Cricket Green also lends its name to the nearby area, and is a Conservation area and council ward.[5]

References
  1. Shaw, Phil (July 13, 2003). "Cricket: After 400 years, history is made next to the A323". The Independent. p. 12. Retrieved 2009-06-11. Mitcham Green has been in continual use as a cricket venue for 317 years Note: the roads next to the Cricket Green are the A217 and the A239, not the A323.
  2. "Mitcham Cricket Ground". Heritage Sites. London Borough of Merton. 18 October 2006. Retrieved 2007-02-06.
  3. "Surrey 2nd XI v Essex 2nd XI". CricketArchive. Retrieved 20 February 2015.
  4. "Surrey 2nd XI v Gloucestershire 2nd XI". CricketArchive. Retrieved 20 February 2015.
  5. "Councillors". London Borough of Merton Website. London Borough of Merton. 29 January 2007. Retrieved 2007-02-06.

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