Itchin Stoke Down is first referenced as the venue for the Hambledon Club v Hambledon Parish match in May 1778.[1] The first first-class match known to have taken place on the Down was between Hampshire and All-England in July of the same year.[2][3]
The Down was used as an occasional venue by Hampshire teams from then until the beginning of the 19th century and it survived the Hambledon Club. It was still in use for a Hampshire v All-England match as late as 1806, which was several years after the demise of Hambledon.[2]
References
^G B Buckley, Fresh Light on 18th Century Cricket, Cotterell, 1935