Mitcham Cricket Green
Mitcham Cricket Green is a cricket ground in Mitcham, south London. It is the home of Mitcham Cricket Club and is reportedly the oldest cricket ground still in use, having been used for cricket since 1685.History
In the 19th century, the Australian cricket team would stay at The Cricketers pub which formerly overlooked the green and practise on the green whilst on tour. The pub also held the changing rooms for the club during the late 18th century, with the scorer having a position on the balcony of the inn. The Cricketers has since been demolished but was adjacent to the Vestry Hall which overlooks the north boundary. The present pavilion was built in 1904 and is rare in being one of only a few cricket pavilions to be separated from the ground by a road,.
Surrey County Cricket Club first used the ground in 1949 for a match in the Minor Counties Championship. Surrey continued to use the ground for 2nd XI matches until 1973. Its first usage in the Second XI Championship was for a match in 1959. Surrey has never used Mitcham for a first-class match.
The most notable match of recent times was the Golden Jubilee Challenge Match, a match held between Mitcham and Hambledon Club, two of the oldest clubs in the country, in honour of the Golden Jubilee of Elizabeth II. Ian Botham made a guest appearance with the Queen's Jubilee Baton. The match was a two innings affair.Local government
The Cricket Green also lends its name to the nearby area, and is a Conservation area and council ward.
