Beneath this unassuming field lies a story of sporting prowess. It is the story of Hampstead Cricket Club. Established in 1865, this club has been a fixture in London’s cricketing landscape for over a century.
Hampstead Cricket Club initially played elsewhere. The construction of Priory Road forced a relocation. Since 1877, Lymington Road has been home.
Andrew Stoddart, a future England captain, once played here. In 1886, he scored a then-record 485 runs in a single day for Hampstead. He played against Stoics. To commemorate this feat, a statue was unveiled in 2015. Former England captain Andrew Strauss did the honors as part of the club’s 150th-anniversary celebrations.
Fred Spofforth, a leading nineteenth-century Australian bowler, also graced this ground. Between 1891 and 1905, he took 951 wickets for Hampstead Cricket Club.
More recently, Shizuka Miyaji, a Japanese international cricketer, played for the Women’s 1st XI in 2019. She set a new club record. She scored the highest individual score by a woman. It was in a league match against Ashford Cricket Club. She scored 146 runs.
Hampstead Cricket Club boasts an impressive trophy cabinet. They won the DH Robins Cup in 1969. The ECB Middlesex Premier League title came in 2013 and 2015. The Women’s Cricket Southern League (Collins Division) title was won in 2018.
The club fields numerous teams. Six senior men’s teams play in Saturday league cricket. Two senior women’s teams compete on Sundays. The men’s 1st, 2nd, and 3rd XIs all play in the top division of their respective Middlesex League competitions. Hampstead Cricket Club also has a U21s team in the Middlesex Development League. Numerous age-group teams for boys and girls ensure a bright future.
Since joining the Middlesex County Cricket League in 1980, several records have been set. The highest team score is 369-2 declared against Uxbridge in 2003. The lowest team score is 38 against Finchley in 1981. Paul Weekes holds the highest individual score. He scored 206 not out against Uxbridge in 2003. Mark Harvey holds the record for most runs in a season with 961 in 2003. Andrew Lamb achieved the best bowling performance. He got 9 wickets for 28 runs against Teddington in 2006. Paul Weekes also holds the record for most wickets in a season with 51 in 2008.
The Hampstead Cricket Club continues to thrive. It fosters a love for the game. It creates a community around cricket. From Stoddart’s epic innings to Miyaji’s record-breaking score, this club is steeped in history. Its future looks just as bright.