Cricket has been played, it is said, at Winchester
College (founded in 1382), since the seventeenth century, although the
evidence for this is rather sketchy. The present ground, New or Ridding
Field, dates from 1869 when Dr.Ridding headmaster from 1867 to 1884, and
known as the College's second founder, bought and gave to the College
the land south of "meads" which was the original cricket field
where cricket and Winchester football are still played.
Until
1888 the pitch lay east-west. Now it runs north-south. Since 1870
Winchester have played Eton and other schools (including Harrow since
1916) and many famous clubs. Among those who have played here for
Winchester College are
A.J.Evans,
John
Shuter,
J.R.Mason,
the Ashton brothers,
Douglas Jardine,
H.A.Pawson and the
Nawab
of Pataudi. The Old Wykehamist CC uses the ground in the holidays.
