Prince's Cricket Ground

Prince's Cricket Ground in Chelsea, London was a cricket ground, created by two brothers by the name of Prince, on which 37 first-class matches were played between 1872 and 1878. The ground was built on in 1883. The boundaries of the site are marked by Cadogan Square West, Milner Street, Lennox Gardens Mews, Walton Street and Pont Street.[1]

Middlesex County Cricket Club used the ground between 1872 and 1876. The ground was also used by South of England and by Gentlemen of the South. Several Gentlemen v Players fixtures were also played there. In 1878, the touring Australians played two matches on the ground: Gentlemen of England v Australians and Players v Australians (the last first-class match held on the ground, scheduled for 11 September to 13 September but finished in two days). The increasing acquisition of portions of the site for building development discouraged its further use.

The former first-class cricketer Thomas Box was employed as an attendant at the ground. On 12 July 1876, during the Middlesex v Nottinghamshire match, he collapsed. He died three hours later.[2]

The site was also used for lawn tennis, badminton and other games. A permanent roller skating rink was also added.[3]

Ground records in first-class matches

Notes

  1. ↑ Not to be confused with the 18th century Brighton Prince of Wales Ground.
  2. ↑ Cricinfo piece on Tom Box
  3. ↑ Chelsea: Cremorne Gardens, Old and New London: Volume 5, 1878, pp 84-100.
  4. ↑ At the time, the highest total ever made in a first-class match.

References

Coordinates: 51°29′45″N 0°09′43″W / 51.4957°N 0.1620°W