epw024936 ENGLAND (1928). The Oval Cricket Ground and environs, Kennington, 1928

The Oval, 08/04/2014

Archbishop Tenison's Grammar School 08/04/2014

The Oval 08/04/2014

Despite the cloud shadows on the margins of the image, this is a splendid picture of one of England's oldest Test cricket grounds, with the distinctive backdrop of the 1850s gasholders and architect Thomas Muirhead's impressive 1896 pavilion. The ground took its name not from its own shape but from that of the streets surrounding it in Vauxhall, London SE11.

A view looking east-north-east across the famous old ground, which was developed in the 1840s and soon became the headquarters of Surrey County Cricket Club. The first Test match was played here in 1880, when WG Grace scored 152 and England beat Australia by five wickets. In its early days, the Oval also hosted international soccer and rugby matches. This picture was taken just over two years after England had regained the Ashes from the Australians in August 1926. Ten seasons later, Len Hutton would score a world record 364 against the Aussies, which is still the highest individual score by an English Test batsman.