The first Ashes cricket pitch used in Ashes series on English soil has been returned for sporting use after 70 years. Former international cricketers took to the field at Sheffield Park near Uckfield in East Sussex. On Sunday, former players like Dean Jones, Rodney Hogg, John Snow, John Lever, and Martin Bicknell played in a match between Lord Sheffield’s Australian XI and Old England XI. 

It hosted a warm up match way back in 1884 between the Australian side and WG Grace-led England side. It was the first Australian touring side to vie for Ashes in England. Henry Holroyd, the third Earl of Sheffield, an avid cricket supporter, made the pitch. During his time, around 25,000 people came to watch first-class matches that quite often featured Grace, who was Lord Sheffield’s friend.

The game was then accompanied by fireworks and many fairy lights that illuminated the parks, water, and pavilions. The influence of Lord Sheffield added to Australia’s dominance in cricket in the modern times. He put up £150 for funding an inter-state championship known as the Sheffield Shield. This championship is played even to this day.

But on his demise in 1909, the country estate was sold. The pitch was dug up during World War I and used for growing wheat. It became a cricket pitch once more between 1918 and 1939. It was later converted into a military base during World War II.

Later on, trees were planted on it and the ownership was passed on to National Trust. Being uncultivated for decades, the Trust permitted a local side known as Armadillos to do the restoration job on the pitch.