The big date in Chertsey Cricket Club’s (CCC) timeline was in 1737, with the foundation of the Club and the first mention of cricket being played in Chertsey, when we took on a London side (losing – good start), but the future was bright with the backing of the 4th Earl of Tankerville, Charles Bennett, whose infatuation with cricket not only sustained CCC, but kept him in the Chertsey XI from 1773 to 1781 as a handy batsman.
It was thanks to the Earl for the introduction of the legendary Edward “Lumpy” Stevens. Born two years before CCC’s beginnings in 1737, he is regarded as the first great bowler in the game’s history and a master of his craft, starting his career around the 1750s in a time when the ball was bowled by throwing the ball as you would in crown green bowls. He also played through the period of the game’s progression where “giving the ball air” and its variations were developed, around 1770, which is more recognised as the style we are most used to bowling now. The Earl employed Lumpy as his gardener, along with another well-known batsman, William Bedster, who went on the play for Middlesex.
It was during a match with Hambledon on 22nd – 23rd May 1775 that Lumpy beat batsman John Small three times by the ball going through the middle of the two stumps. Lumpy, as a typical precious bowler, was agreeably upset, and along with the other patrons at the game (during conversation at the bar post match we imagine) agreed this gap must be filled and a third stump introduced, and after a meeting with the great and the good, the rest they say is history. If you check out our current logo, this is reflected with the golden middle stump and the year of its introduction, 1776.
Lumpy was a pioneer and the clout he held means he played for just about everyone, ending his career on 5th September 1789, so walk into most Surrey cricket clubs and they can tell you their own story about beloved old Lumpy.