Somerset County Cricket Club in 1883

In 1883, Somerset County Cricket Club played their second season of first-class cricket. They were captained by Stephen Newton, and played in seven matches, six against county opposition, and one against the Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC). They won only one of their seven contests, that against Hampshire at Taunton. Of the remaining matches, the one against the MCC was drawn, and the other five were all losses for Somerset.

Although Somerset's matches in 1883 are considered by modern consensus to hold first-class status, at the time they were held by many publications to only be a second-class side. The quality of the team was limited by Somerset's tight finances, which meant they struggled to hire good professional players, and team selection was often based on social status or boasts, rather than demonstrated ability. The team's bowling was particularly criticised, while their batting received faint praise. Against Gloucestershire, Ted Sainsbury scored the first century for Somerset in first-class cricket, and Francis Terry scored the second in Somerset's last match of the season, against Hampshire.