On 9-10 September 1813 Kent played the MCC at the Vine, Sevenoaks — the first post-war major match at the historic Kent ground and the start of the Vine's revival as a regular major venue. The Vine had hosted little major cricket since 1808; the September 1813 fixture marked its return to the front rank.
The Vine had been hosting top-class cricket since the 1730s but the 1808-1812 period had seen it slip to village level.
The Vine had been a major venue since 1734 but had hosted only village fixtures during the Napoleonic war years. The September 1813 Kent v MCC fixture was raised by John Bligh, fourth Earl of Darnley, as a deliberate revival. MCC fielded full strength; Kent included Tom Ray and the young John Bligh. MCC won by 47 runs after Beauclerk's 73. The fixture confirmed the Vine's continuing place in the major calendar.
1734
Vine granted to Sevenoaks for cricket
1805
Last major match before wartime gap
9-10 Sep 1813
First post-war major match
Present
Vine remains in continuous use
The Vine continued as a regular major venue through the rest of the nineteenth century.
The Vine's return to the front rank of major cricket venues after a five-year wartime gap.
n/a
1811-07-04
The 1811 Lord's season was the leanest of the Middle Ground years. With the Napoleonic blockade at its tightest, willow scarce, professionals diverted to militia service and the betting public's purses thin, only fourteen major matches were played at Lord's all summer. The 1811 season is the clearest measure of cricket's wartime contraction.
Officers vs Civilians
1812-12-15
By the close of 1812 cricket was being played regularly in both Madras and Bombay — the earliest documented fixtures in either Presidency. Garrison officers and civilian East India Company servants ran the matches; the Madras Gazette and Bombay Courier preserved the earliest scoresheets. The Calcutta game (documented 1804) had been joined by all three Presidency capitals.
MCC vs Hampshire
1814-07-21
On 21 July 1814 Lord Frederick Beauclerk took 7 wickets in an innings against Hampshire at the new Lord's — bowling his slow underarm lobs. It was his career-best return at Lord's and one of the finest individual bowling performances in the early St John's Wood years. MCC won the match by an innings.