George Kipps (dates unknown) was an English cricketer of the mid-Georgian period who came from Eltham. He played for Sevenoaks and Kent. He also represented various England teams. A top-class player, and the sport's earliest-known accomplished wicket-keeper, he made numerous appearances in important matches, both eleven-a-side and single wicket. His name has sometimes been spelled "Kips".
Played for Kent v England at the Artillery Ground on 18 June 1744. Scored 12 & 10 (highest score in each innings). Stumped J. Bryant in the first innings, and this is the earliest-known stumping in cricket history. Also caught Bryant in the second innings.
The earliest-known instance of a batsman being stumped was in 1744. J. Bryant (i.e., one of the brothers James or John Bryant) of England was dismissed by Kipps, the Kent wicket-keeper. The match was England v Kent on the Artillery Ground. The surviving match scorecard is the first to include dismissal information.
Kipps is cricket's first renowned wicket-keeper. Others in the 18th century were John Bell of Kent, Gill of Buckinghamshire, Tom Sueter of Hampshire, Richard Simmons of Kent, and William Yalden of Surrey.
On 23 June 1746, Kent and Surrey were scheduled to play on the Artillery Ground. Kent's team consisted entirely of players from Bromley, Bexley, and Sevenoaks; these included Robert Colchin, George Kipps (wicket-keeper), John Bowra, James Bryant, John Bryant, and Robert Eures.
A combined teams match was played 7 July 1746 at Duppas Hill, Croydon, between Kent & Surrey and Addington & Bromley. The crowd was reported as "nearly ten thousand". George Kipps of Sevenoaks, the renowned wicket-keeper, played as a given man for Addington & Bromley. The title of the fixture indicates the strength of the Addington and Bromley clubs at this time. The London Evening Post on Thursday, 3 July announced: "No person allowed to bring any liquour that don't (sic) live in the parish". Kent & Surrey won by 4 runs.
On 14 July 1746, there was a return of the Addington & Bromley v Kent & Surrey match. This one was played on the Artillery Ground. George Kipps of Sevenoaks again played for the Addington & Bromley team as a given man. A report said: "Many hundreds of pounds were lost and won over this match".