Ask any cricket-lover to name the place where the game started and they will probably say Hambledon, in Hampshire. In fact, the answer may be a lot closer to home. For instance, in the household accounts of Edward I in 1300, there is a reference to a cricket-like game being played in Kent. While the precise origins of cricket are lost in the mists of time, it is thought to be most likely that it originated somewhere in the sheep-rearing county of Kent, where the short grass of the pastures made it possible to 'bowl' a ball of wool or rags at a target. That target was usually the 'wicket-gate' of the sheep pasture, which was defended with a 'bat' in the form of a shepherd's crooked staff. As the game developed, the bat became more curved, rather like a hockey stick and the wicket consisted of two stumps, each 22 inches high with one bail on top. Although Hambledon was one of the most 'influential' cricket clubs in history for establishing the techniques of batting and bowling (which still remain today), the London Cricket Club was formed many years earlier and at least two local clubs - Croydon and Addington - were established well before the Hampshire Club.

The original Croydon Cricket Club was one of the oldest in England with early records dating back to 1707 when the club played two matches against London Cricket Club. In 1731 the team was declared the county champions after beating London four times. The club continued to be prominent during the 1730's but less so in the 1740's. The modern Croydon Cricket Club was founded in 1886 with James Hewish being the first president and William McGivern Club Captain. Croydon's first home ground was in Hull Road before moving to Hall Grounds off Mt Dandenong Road where it remained until 1931 when Oliver Hewish donated 50 acres of land to the Shire and the club moved to its current location at Croydon Park. Addington Cricket Club fielded one of the strongest cricket teams in Enlgand, between 1743 and 1752. During this time, Addington could proudly boast some of the country's best cricketers with star players including Tom Faulkner (a noted English cricketer), brothers Joe and John Harris (famous English cricketers in the 1740s and 1750s) and the enigmatic batsman Durling (Surrey and all-England cricketer whose first name and date of birth are unknown)! The first recorded match played by the Addington Cricket Club was on July 25th 1743, when Addington met London at the Artillery Ground in Finsbury and won by an innings and four runs.

In 1744 the team accepted the famous Slindon Challenge - to play against any parish in England. Around 1876, The Addington Cricket Club altered dramatically when the Addington Working Men's Club decided to start a new Cricket Club. The newly formed club attracted all the members of the previous club, as well as several new members from the district. Unsurprisingly, it was known as the Addington Working Men's Cricket Club, and for the next five years was recognised as the primary club to represent the parish. However, support from members fell away dramatically before the start of the 1881 season and it was decided that no matches would be played and the equipment was handed over to Addington School instead. In 1883, a few members decided to re-launch the Club and several games were played. One of the team members, Mr William Still, became the Secretary of the reformed Club. Mr Still was a big landowner and farmer at the time and was known to the villagers as the 'King of Addington.' With Mr Still as Secretary, keenness was revived and a full programme was arranged for 1884. Mr Still became the Captain of the Club and his reign was unbroken for 45 years. Addiscombe Cricket Club was another powerful local side, formed in 1866. Their first ground was behind St Mary's Church on Canning Road, before road improvements led them to move to a new ground in Radcliffe Road in 1905. One of the Club's highlights came in September 1960, when a full England team came to Addiscombe to play the Club side. Cricket remains an important part of Croydon's sporting life. To most of us, the word 'cricket' sparks a mental image of a civilised game on the village green, during a beautiful summer's day. Croydon may no longer resemble a village, and the British weather can never be guaranteed, but the game lives on.