Skip to content

Pioneering cricketer (1735-1819)

Edward “Lumpy” Stevens was the most famous bowler of his age. He was born in Send and buried in Walton-on-Thames. Cricket then was played with two stumps and only a single bail.

In a 1775 match against the famous Hambledon Cricket Club, ‘Lumpy’ bowled the ball between the two stumps without dislodging the bail, three times, but the batsman, John Small, was given ‘not out’.

This caused a huge outcry and as a result, the patrons agreed that a third stump be added. Surrey’s “Lumpy” Stevens’ bowling prowess changed the game forever. “Lumpy” Stevens is one of Send & Ripley History Society Museum’s heroes.