Walton Cricket Club

Audio Transcript

Walton Cricket Club owes much of its existence to Sassoon Joseph Sassoon, the last owner of the Ashley Park estate. A passionate sportsman, he encouraged local cricket and helped establish a high-quality village club on his land, which continues to play here today.

Sassoon’s enthusiasm for the game was shared by some remarkable friends and visitors. The great W. G. Grace, widely regarded as one of cricket’s greatest players, was among his acquaintances. International cricketers, including Australian captain Billy Murdoch and England captain Walter Read, also played cricket in Walton.

Perhaps the most important local figure in cricket history, however, was Edward “Lumpy” Stevens. Born in 1727, Stevens worked as a gardener at nearby Mount Felix and became one of the finest bowlers of his generation. His nickname came from his rather awkward appearance, although he was said to have possessed extraordinary accuracy.

In 1775, while playing at the Artillery Ground in London, Stevens bowled three deliveries straight through the gap between the two stumps without dismissing the batsman. The incident exposed a flaw in the rules of the game and led directly to the introduction of the third middle stump, which remains part of every cricket wicket today.

His influence on the game was so significant that many historians regard him as one of the people who helped shape modern cricket.

Lumpy Stevens died in 1810 at the age of 84, and his gravestone can still be found in the churchyard of St Mary’s Church in Walton.

As you stand beside the cricket ground today, you are standing in a town that helped shape two of the world’s most popular sports — baseball and modern cricket.

This marks the end of the Town Centre Trail. We hope you’ve enjoyed discovering some of Walton’s remarkable stories, from naval heroes and royal visitors to cricket legends and hidden links to world history.

From here, you’re just a short walk from Walton town centre and The Heart shopping centre, where you’ll find a wide choice of cafés, restaurants and places to relax. Why not take some time to enjoy refreshments and reflect on the fascinating people and events that have helped shape Walton-on-Thames over the centuries?

Did you know?

• Edward “Lumpy” Stevens helped inspire the introduction of the third stump in cricket.
• Before 1775, cricket wickets had only two stumps.
  Lumpy earned his nickname because of his awkward appearance and was once said to have eaten an entire apple pie at a club dinner.
• His gravestone can still be seen at St Mary’s Church in Walton.
• W. G. Grace, one of cricket’s greatest players, was a friend of Ashley Park owner Sassoon Joseph Sassoon.
• Australian captain Billy Murdoch and England captain Walter Read both played cricket in Walton.
• Australian fast bowler Fred “The Demon” Spofforth later lived nearby and became the first bowler to take a Test hat-trick.
• Walton’s cricket connections span more than 250 years, from Lumpy Stevens to the present-day club.