Greatest Cricket Moments

First Major Match on the Brighton Steine — Sussex v Hampshire, August 1801

1801-08-12Sussex vs HampshireSussex v Hampshire, the Steine, Brighton, 12-13 August 18011 min readSeverity: Mild

Summary

On 12-13 August 1801, the open green of the Steine in Brighton — already a fashionable Regency promenade thanks to the Prince of Wales's patronage of the town — hosted its first documented major cricket match: Sussex against Hampshire. The Prince himself, residing at the Marine Pavilion, watched from the eastern boundary. The match marked Brighton's arrival as a senior cricket town and the beginning of Sussex as a recognised major county side.

Background

Sussex cricket had been strong at parish level since the 1750s but had not previously fielded a major-match XI. The 1801 fixture changed that.

What Happened

Brighton had grown rapidly since the Prince of Wales first stayed there in 1783. The Steine was the town's central open ground; cricket had been played on it informally since the 1780s. The August 1801 fixture was the first organised on full major-match lines, raised by the Earl of Winchilsea (who took a Brighton house each summer) for stakes of 100 guineas. Hampshire — fielding Beldham and Walker — won by six wickets. The Prince watched all of day one and presented a small purse to the leading Sussex bowler.

Key Moments

1

12 Aug 1801: Match opens on the Steine

2

Prince of Wales arrives mid-morning, takes a chair at deep extra cover

3

Beldham scores 56 for Hampshire

4

13 Aug 1801: Hampshire chase 88, win by six wickets

Timeline

1783

Prince of Wales first visits Brighton

12-13 Aug 1801

First major match on the Steine

1839

Sussex County Cricket Club formally founded

Aftermath

Sussex established a county committee in 1803 on the strength of the 1801 fixture. Brighton remained a regular major venue for the rest of the underarm era.

⚖️ The Verdict

Brighton's debut as a senior cricket venue and the start of Sussex's claim to major-county status.

Legacy & Impact

The 1801 match is the conventional starting point of Sussex CCC's history — though the formal club came later.

Frequently Asked Questions

Did the Prince of Wales play?▾
No — he watched. Reports of his having batted at Brighton are confined to private games on the Marine Pavilion lawn.

Tags

#regency-cricket#underarm#brighton#the-steine#sussex#1801#iconic-moment#prince-of-wales

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