The Oval and Lord's — Ground Improvements Shape Victorian Cricket's Showplaces, 1860s
Surrey CCC and MCC
1864-04-01
Through the 1860s both The Oval and Lord's underwent significant improvements to their playing surfaces, pavilions and spectator facilities, reflecting the growing commercial importance of county cricket and the ambition of the MCC and Surrey CCC to provide grounds worthy of the game's premier events. The improvements established both grounds' physical forms that would be recognisable for decades.