The Cricket Society in a Baker’s Dozen of Key Moments
(The above image is of a very young Henry Blofeld who in 1956 was the first recipient of The Cricket Society’s Most Promising Young Male Cricketer of the Year Award).
- 2020. The Cricket Society, braving the Covid pandemic, reaches 75 Not Out. The suspended County Championship is replaced by the Bob Willis Trophy.
- 2011. We restore and rededicate first Ashes Urn recipient Ivo Bligh’s grave at Cobham (Kent). India win the World Cup at home.
- 1995. Prime Minister John Major congratulates us on reaching our fiftieth birthday. England 2 West Indies 2 and Warwickshire win two domestic trophies.
- 1992. Our charitable arm – The Cricket Society Trust – begins its work helping disadvantaged young people to participate in cricket. Durham attain first class status and Zimbabwe plays its first Test match.
- 1970. The Cricket Society celebrates its silver jubilee. Proposed South African tour of England is cancelled and South Africa is excluded from international cricket.
- 1968. An Edgbaston dinner has present leading lights from the England and Australia teams. £1 10s for the dinner, £1 for a Test ticket. Garry Sobers hits six sixes in an over in Swansea.
- 1967. Member Rex Wetherell bequeaths funds to establish three cricketer awards, building on our most promising young cricketer award dating from 1956 (Henry Blofeld the first winner). Ken Barrington scores 2059 runs at 68.63, Derek Underwood takes 136 wickets at 12.39.
- 1961. The Cricket Society Journal is launched with Irving Rosenwater its first editor. Australia retain the Ashes and Hampshire win their first Championship title.
- 1955. Our support for women’s cricket begins with a joint meeting with the Women’s Cricket Association, led by Netta Rheinberg later a Cricket Society Vice Chairman for 23 years. Surrey win their fourth County Championship title in a row, England 3 South Africa 2 in the Test series.
- 1954. Operative since 1949, The Cricket Society XI plays matches in Paris on its first tour. India and Pakistan begin a winless five match Test series, England a 3-1 Ashes win down-under.
- 1953. Our Coronation Dinner is addressed by Douglas Jardine. England regain the Ashes after 19 years.
- 1948. The Cricket Society takes its present name. “A lot of people keen on cricket liked to meet and talk but didn’t really want to do statistics.” First five-day Tests in England; Bradman’s Invincibles do rather well.
- November 1945. 29 enthusiasts led by chief founder Anthony Weigall form The Society of Cricket Statisticians at 15 Great Scotland Yard (home today of the Civil Service Club). Eleven first class matches take place in England, the first since 1939.
