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Bat and Ball Cricket Ground: 1845, wicket originally laid by Tom Adams in the grounds of Ruckland House (in 1905 purchased to become the Masonic Hall, Wrotham Road), cricket matches began to be played regularly.
1849, the inaugural first class match took place, All England v Kent.
1854, Earl of Darnley and other gentlemen founded the North Kent Cricket Club with the Bat and Ball as its home ground.
1857, Gravesend Milton Cricket Club (later Mid-Kent CC) played matches here.
1868, 2nd & 3rd June, Kent v Australian Aboriginals, the third match of their tour. (Previous, Mote Park, Maidstone, 30th May. Next, Richmond Surrey, 5th & 6th June) Kent -1st innings 298, Aboriginals Ist innings - 123 and had to follow on. 2nd inning - 106, so lost by an innings and 69 runs.
1903, Bat and Ball ground sold to a builder for housing. Ground rented by cricket club on an annual basis with the option to buy.
1906, Bat and Ball ground saved.
1907, Gravesend Northfleet and North Kent Cricket and Sports Club Limited formed to revive cricket, sports, tennis and bowls at the Bat and Ball ground.
Sources - https://www.discovergravesham.co.uk/gravesend-chronology/gravesend-chronology.html
'MCC Cricket Scores and Biographies, 1867-1868' by Arthur Haygarth, published by the MCC 1878
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