Wrotham Cricket Ground, located in Sevenoaks, is home to the historic Wrotham (St. George's) Cricket Club, one of the oldest cricket clubs in the country. Originally known as the Wrotham Cricket Society, the club was established in 1794 and has a rich history in the sport.
In the early years, Wrotham played matches against various opponents, including East Malling, Lingfield, Hadlow, Barming, Duke of Dorset's XI, Penenden Heath, and West Malling. The club initially played at the Napps Ground near Platt, but in 1815, Wrotham hosted the only first-class match in its history when Kent played against England.
Over the years, the club has seen changes in its location. In the early 20th century, Wrotham played at the “Oval” at Great Comp. However, the current recreation ground in Wrotham village was gifted to the people in 1881. The construction of the A20 road in 1926/7 led to the compulsory purchase of part of the ground and a neighbouring meadow.
The majority of the meadow was sold to the Wrotham Urban District Council, while the Parish Council currently owns the freehold to the Cricket Ground.
The Cricket Pavilion, built after World War II in memory of fallen parishioners, was recently replaced by a new building in 2013. Notable successes include winning Division One of the Courier League for three consecutive years in the mid-1980s and an impressive individual score of 170 by Darl Clemett in 1995.
The club has a dedicated team of individuals supporting its operations. The Chairperson is Geoff Witts, with Nigel Malyan and Neil Harvey serving as Vice Chairs. Lynne Harvey acts as Treasurer and Secretary, while Geoff Witts also fulfils the role of Fixture Secretary. Sam Patterson serves as Captain, with Neil Pickford and Joe Dallison as Vice Captains.
Other key members include Ground Keeper Simon Rogers, Scorer John Gillespie, and Umpires Alec Broad and Ken Baines.
The club's fixture list includes matches against various opponents, both home and away, throughout the cricket season. Spectators are warmly welcomed to attend matches and support their local, friendly village club. For those wishing to contact the club, there is a contact page available, and the Parish Clerk will assist in connecting interested individuals with the Cricket Club.
Overall, Wrotham Cricket Ground and Wrotham (St. George's) Cricket Club offer a rich history and an inclusive and welcoming environment for cricket enthusiasts in Sevenoaks.
