Cricket Clubs
Hampshire County Cricket Club
The Hampshire Rose Bowl
Botley Road
Southampton
SO30 3XH | map
Hampshire
Tel: +44 (0) 23 8047 2002
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The earliest reference to cricket being played in Hampshire is in a Latin poem written by Robert Matthew in 1647 that appears to contain a reference to pupils of Winchester College playing the game. As the game initially originated in Saxon or Norman times on the Weald, an area between the South and North Downs in South East England, it is generally believed that cricket has existed in Hampshire for many years earlier than any records show. Hampshire's early development as a county club was based very much around the famous Hambledon club which has existed since at least 1756, and probably dates back to a good deal earlier. The Hambledon club was more than just a cricket club but it did dominate the sport and attract many of the sporting gentry. Its demise followed the formation of the Marylebone Cricket Club in 1787 but Hampshire was nevertheless still recognised as a strong cricket county going into the 19th century. Hampshire County Cricket Club was formed in August 1863 and was recognised as a 'Champion County' contender in 1864. In the mid 1880s the club's fortunes declined somewhat and it was not part of the first official County Championship set up in 1890. Hampshire returned to first class status in 1895 and has remained in the County Championship ever since, winning the title in 1961 and 1973.
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