1753 English cricket season

The first mentions of Hambledon and Broadhalfpenny Down are found in the 1753 English cricket season. Only a handful of matches, including one significant single wicket event, are on record.
A poem, dedicated to the Lionel Sackville, [1st Duke of Dorset|1st Duke of Dorset], refers to a crimson cricket ball. It may have been made by Mr Clout, whose firm was in Sevenoaks where the Dukes of Dorset reside at Knole House.

Hambledon v Surrey

There was a match on 7 & 8 August in which a team called Hambledon hosted Surrey [county cricket team (pre-1846)|Surrey]. The Hambledon Club per se probably didn't exist at this time. Its foundation is generally believed to have been in the 1760s, so the team in 1753 would have been a parish eleven. However, it wasn't limited to local players because John Lucas, of Portsmouth, scored 82 in Hambledon's first innings. Hambledon scored 202 and 105; Surrey scored 131 and 63. Hambledon won by 113 runs. The match was played on Broadhalfpenny Down, its first mention in connection with cricket.

Single wicket

Monday, 10 September. Two of London were to play Tom Faulkner and Joe Harris for £20 at the Artillery Ground.

Other events

On 6 & 7 August, Dover hosted Dartford and won by 7 runs. Dover scored 57 and 83; Dartford scored 95 and 38.
A benefit match was staged 15 August on the Artillery Ground for a Mr Anderson of the Dial in Long Alley, Moorfields. The teams were unnamed and no result has been recorded. There was a well-known player called William Anderson, first mentioned in 1745, so possibly this was he. The two elevens were made up of various players from the general London area with "the best bowlers to be parted".
On 30 August, London played Marylebone. This was on the Artillery Ground, but the result is unknown. Marylebone had Tall Bennett and William King as given men.