Cricket was relatively slow to come to Somerset, but by the early 19th century it was being played in a haphazard fashion, mainly on gentlemen's country-house grounds.

[1] In these early years, arranging matches was a problem as there was a lack of other established clubs of good reputation to play.

During this time, selection was based as much on social status as on talent, and the club was even dubbed by someone as 'the MCC of the West'.

[4] W. G. Grace made his debut for Lansdown on 5 July 1861, just short of his thirteenth birthday, and played two matches during that month.

Almost overlapping with Angell, in 1973, Viv Richards similarly turned out for the side while he served his qualification period for Somerset.