Maidstone - County Game 8

The players and supporters boarded the coach at Hilton Hotel, Maidstone to drive to the Mote Cricket Club not too far away.

The Mote Cricket Club, in Kent, has been in existence since 1857.

The groundsman continued to prepare the ground as the players inspected the pitch.

The scorers got ready for the match to begin. This scoreboard was operated by a system of pulleys with weights so three scorers were required for this game.

Members of both teams lined up for a photo before the game began.

Australia batted first and at the end of 45 overs were 3 for 231. Tom Wood, Ian A Gibson, Alan Reid and Stirling Hamman all scored 40 + runs. Robin and Tim Spear opened the bowling. The batsmen found it difficult to score but did not lose wickets either during their spell. Kent were 4 for 16 for 164 at the end of the game.

One of the features of this cricket ground is a small building called the Tabernacle.  It was built in 1908 for Lord Bearsted as a private cricket pavilion. The building was built in Vernacular Revival Style. The cricket ground was part of Mote Park owned by Lord Bearsted. Lord Bearsted was a founder of the Shell Oil Company. After his death the cricket ground and the two pavilions were gifted to the cricket club. Mote Park was purchased by the local council and became a public park in 1929.

Entrance to Mote Park

Mote Park is 440 acres of parkland next to the cricket ground.

Features include a large lake surrounded by general parkland.

Water birds enjoy the additional feeding opportunities at the lake.

Model sailboats enjoy an outing on the lake.

There are also opportunities to explore the lake in a variety of larger vessels.

A walking track around the lake provides picturesque views.

The old Mote House was built in the 13th century and demolished in 1793. A new Mote House was then built on the other side of lake.

The building near the gates to Mote Park is Deergate Lodge, built c1790.