Hampshire till then has been represented by 726 players in first-class cricket.
Hampshire county cricket teams formed by earlier organisations, principally the Hambledon Club and dating back to the 18th century, always had first-class status and so the county club was rated accordingly from its foundation in 1864 until 1885.
[3] The club's first match was played in 1864 against Sussex at the Antelope Ground.
Led by George Ede, Hampshire lost by 10 wickets.
Following years of difficult circumstances and poor results to 1885, Hampshire is not rated a first-class team between 1886 and 1894.