On 12-13 August 1822 Nottingham played Sheffield on the Forest ground at Nottingham — the earliest documented major match at the Forest, the open common ground that served as Nottingham's principal cricket venue for the next forty years. The Forest's history is the foundation of the cricketing tradition that would, by mid-century, produce William Clarke and the All-England Eleven.
The Forest had been Nottingham's principal common ground since the medieval period. Cricket had been played there informally since the late eighteenth century. The August 1822 Nottingham v Sheffield fixture — the earliest with a preserved scoresheet — was raised by the local sporting committee for stakes of 50 guineas. Nottingham won by 23 runs. The Forest continued as Nottingham's main ground until Trent Bridge opened in 1838.
12-13 Aug 1822
First documented major match at the Forest
1838
Trent Bridge opens, supplants the Forest
1864
Nottinghamshire CCC founded
The Forest hosted Nottingham's major matches until 1838, when William Clarke opened Trent Bridge. The site is now Nottingham Forest's football ground.
The earliest documented major cricket at the Forest, Nottingham — and the origin of one of the great English cricket traditions.
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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.
Kent vs MCC
1813-09-09
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.