by Mayukh Ghosh

“At the end of our road was St Helen’s cricket field. I would often walk down the road and watch the cricket, sometimes with my sandwich. I never, at that age, thought that I would one day play there myself….”

Cricket was a significant part of Stephen Saunders’ childhood.
His father was a confidante of C.B. Fry and ran the finances of TS Mercury.

When he was a little older, he became a member of the Nuffield Club (now part of Portsmouth University) where he learned to play tennis and squash.
And if Hampshire were playing cricket on the United Services Ground he persuaded his mother to drop him off at the Club, again with a sandwich, for the day and he was usually picked up by his father at the end of each day’s play.
When he became old enough he used cycle down to the ground whenever Hampshire played there.
Meanwhile, all his pocket money was being spent on the Hampshire handbooks.

The next big step in Saunders’ cricketing journey happened in 1953.
“My father took my sister to London to see the Coronation procession, which I watched on television with my mother. My father was a fair chap and my compensation was to be made a junior membership of Hampshire County Cricket Club.”

And another eight years later, his most memorable day of Hampshire cricket.
“I went by train to Bournemouth to watch the last day of that famous match (Hampshire won the County Championship).”

Saunders’, over the years, has contributed to Hampshire cricket in various ways and is now a Life Member of the club.

“I had always kept my Hampshire Handbooks and histories and slowly I built up an extremely comprehensive library on cricket in Hampshire and in 1997, based on my collection, I published a Bibliography of Cricket in Hampshire (with a subsequent update in 2010). I have also collected cricket stamps and cigarette cards featuring Hampshire players. Both of these have been subjects of articles that I have written for the Handbook as well as articles on Hampshire Presidents of the MCC, Hampshire players in World War II and Hampshire players of the Hampshire Regiment. I wrote a book on The Original Committee of Hampshire CCC in 1863 and assisted Dave Allen on 150 Not Out. Most recently I have published a biography of William Ward and his family.

“I was involved in the re-founding of the Hambledon Club and have been Treasurer for many years. I was also the instigator and organiser of the Centenary Match on Broadhalfpenny Down in 2008 and produced the souvenir programme. As I have now downsized to a cottage a considerable amount of my collection had to be sacrificed. However, I still have my Hambledon collection of well over one hundred books and pamphlets. I have also kept books on history and pre-war Hampshire players (and a few other things!).

“Dave Allen invited me on to the original Heritage Committee at the Ageas Bowl, which had to be finally abandoned due to lack of interest. However, along with Richard Griffiths, I became an Assistant Archivist and documented the entire Heritage collection (other than scorecards which Richard did) and with persistent pressure we finally have Hampshire County Cricket Heritage on a firm footing.”

June 2022 marks the 250th anniversary of the first designated first-class match and it was, of course, played at Hambledon.
Saunders has been busy organising events and celebrations to mark the occasion.
Despite that he has managed to publish a book on Hampshire CC before the formation of the club in 1863. It covers the grounds, matches and all the players.
A choice of subject that is intriguing but perhaps less so if one knows the author.

“I have always been interested in Hampshire cricket of the old days and visited Hambledon regularly as a youngster. I was one of the chaps who re-founded the Hambledon Club and have been on the Committee for 15 years.

“There were three reasons for the book:

- To share my research and knowledge of the original county grounds and players.

- Dave Allen had produced a book on all Hampshire players from the founding of the County Club in 1863 so this book completes the list from “day one”.

- As it is the 250th anniversary of the first first-class match in 1772 it was a particularly relevant subject.”

A book about players and matches played well over 200 years ago poses its own challenges to the author. The research is often difficult and marred with lack of reliable information.
“There certainly were plenty of challenges. That is part of the fun as well as the frustration.
I cannot remember all of these. There were so many.

“However, in the old scorecards or reports players were often just given a name, no initials and in some cases, they were recorded under different names or indeed nicknames.

“So, there were plenty of challenges – but I enjoy that sort of research, even when I eventually have to give up.

I do not like being beaten, but know when I am!”

It is a book worth reading to know about the old names and about the matches played way back in the early years of the 19th century. Moreover, there are some amusing incidents and idiosyncrasies mentioned throughout the book.

It fills a substantial gap in the literature of Hampshire cricket.

The book is very reasonably priced and can be obtained from the author who can be reached via email: oastcottage@btinternet.com .