Reflecting on rivalry ahead of cricket’s new chapter
It is the Test series that captures the very essence of the sport for any cricket fan, with a rivalry dating back to the 19th century.
And with England heading Down Under for this winter’s hugely anticipated Ashes series against Australia, we look back in our archives at how cricket has played a defining role for North Yorkshire’s communities and sports fans over the decades.
Ahead of the first Test match in Perth on 21 November, here are a selection of historical images including a photo of Scarborough famous cricket ground on Marine Drive that was taken in 1926 to a receipt given to Lord Mulgrave for membership of the Marylebone Cricket Club in 1792 and signed by Thomas Lord. Born in Thirsk in 1755, Thomas Lord later founded Lord’s Cricket Ground in London.
There is also an advertisement featuring the former England and Yorkshire captain Len Hutton promoting Zipplax trousers, that has been taken from the archive of Greensmith & Thackwray, an outfitters in Scarborough.
The archives team is also holding a Christmas fair from 1pm to 4pm on Monday 1 December.
Members of the archives department will be showcasing our Christmas and winter-related collections as well as holding a drop-in paper decorations workshop and offering our range of archive-themed cards and wrapping paper for sale. There will also be an opportunity to order bespoke copies of historic maps and photographic prints from our collections. Details of the event are available on the North Yorkshire Archives Blog website.
North Yorkshire Archives hold thousands of historic photos – you can browse the collection through the online shop.
If you have any further information about any of the images on this page, our archivists would be keen to hear about it. Please email yny@northyorks.gov.uk.
Hovingham Hall Cricket Club – used since 1858 and Sir William Worsley III once captain of Yorkshire County Cricket Club. From the Bertram Unné photographic collection.
Masham cricket team pictured in the early part of the 20th century. From the Masham History Group collection.
Masham Cricket Pavilion pictured in the early part of the 20th century. From the Masham History Group collection.
Harrogate Tradesmen and All England Eleven charity cricket match that was played on 5 August 1908.
Lovesome Hill ladies’ cricket team pictured in 1953.
Scarborough cricket team pictured in the late 19th century.
Scarborough Cricket Club Ground in 1926.
Harrogate Cricket Club Ground on St George’s Road in the mid-20th century. From the Bertram Unné photographic collection.
Cricket at Ripley in the mid-20th century. From the Bertram Unné photographic collection.
Former England captain Len Hutton advertises Zipplax trousers. From the archive of Greensmith & Thackwray, outfitters of Scarborough dating from the 20th century.
Kirkby Malzeard cricket team in 1923. This image is part of the Ripon Re-Viewed collection created by Ripon Civic Society and supported by the National Lottery Heritage Fund (NLHF).
Topham Brothers’ of Harrogate cricket team, circa1912.
Richmondshire Cricket Club fixtures list from 1899. From the Draycott Hall collection.
Bedale Cricket Club grand match admission ticket from May 1897. From the Draycott Hall collection.
A fixtures list for Thirsk and Thornton-le-Moor in 1961. From Felixkirk & District Cricket League records.
Receipt issued to Lord Mulgrave for £2 2 shillings (2 Guineas) for membership of Marylebone Cricket Club in 1792 and signed by Thomas Lord. Born in Thirsk in 1755, Thomas Lord later founded Lord’s Cricket Ground in London. From a collection of Mulgrave Estate records.
Openers and scoreboard at a match between Harrogate and Leeds cricket clubs in 1923.
Harrogate Cricket Club 1st XI pictured in 1921. Harrogate-born Maurice Leyland, a first class cricketer for Yorkshire and England, is pictured second left on the bottom row.