Cambridge University Cricket Club
Encyclopedia
Cambridge University Cricket Club is a first-class cricket
team. It now plays all but one of its first-class cricket matches as part of the Cambridge University Centre of Cricketing Excellence (UCCE), which includes Anglia Ruskin University
. (The UCCE was rebranded as Cambridge MCC
University (MCCU) prior to the 2010 season.) Home fixtures are played at Fenner's
with the annual first-class Varsity Match being played in late June or early July. In the 2011 Season the 4-day first-Class fixture and the student-popular Twenty20 fixture were both played at Fenners.
The earliest reference to cricket at Cambridge University
is in 1710. A Cambridge University team played matches against an Eton
team in 1754 and 1755, although those were not first-class matches. We do not know if the Eton teams were present or past pupils.
Cambridge University began its annual series against Cambridge Town Club (which became Cambridgeshire CCC
) on 30 May 1817, this game marking the first-class debut of both teams.
Oxford University Cricket Club
made its first-class debut in 1827 when it played Cambridge University in the first-ever University Match.
CUCC exists as a club in its own right and has two men's teams (the Blues and the Crusaders) and one women's. Each plays an annual Varsity Match against Oxford as well as other matches throughout the University Easter term. The first team four-day Varsity match retains its first class status and alternates between being held at Fenner's and at The Parks. The one-day match is played at Lord's
.
Old Blues are eligible to join the 'Quidnuncs'. The Quidnuncs join for a 5-yearly dinner in the Long Room at Lords, the next of which will be in 2015.
First-class cricket
First-class cricket is a class of cricket that consists of matches of three or more days' scheduled duration, that are between two sides of eleven players and are officially adjudged first-class by virtue of the standard of the competing teams...
team. It now plays all but one of its first-class cricket matches as part of the Cambridge University Centre of Cricketing Excellence (UCCE), which includes Anglia Ruskin University
Anglia Ruskin University
Anglia Ruskin University is one of the largest universities in Eastern England, United Kingdom, with a total student population of around 30,000.-History:...
. (The UCCE was rebranded as Cambridge MCC
Marylebone Cricket Club
Marylebone Cricket Club is a cricket club in London founded in 1787. Its influence and longevity now witness it as a private members' club dedicated to the development of cricket. It owns, and is based at, Lord's Cricket Ground in St John's Wood, London NW8. MCC was formerly the governing body of...
University (MCCU) prior to the 2010 season.) Home fixtures are played at Fenner's
Fenner's
Fenner's is the University of Cambridge's cricket ground.-History:Fenner's has hosted first-class cricket since 1848, and many of the world's great players have graced the wicket. The ground was established on land leased for the purpose by Francis Fenner, after whom the ground is named.Playing for...
with the annual first-class Varsity Match being played in late June or early July. In the 2011 Season the 4-day first-Class fixture and the student-popular Twenty20 fixture were both played at Fenners.
The earliest reference to cricket at Cambridge University
University of Cambridge
The University of Cambridge is a public research university located in Cambridge, United Kingdom. It is the second-oldest university in both the United Kingdom and the English-speaking world , and the seventh-oldest globally...
is in 1710. A Cambridge University team played matches against an Eton
Eton College
Eton College, often referred to simply as Eton, is a British independent school for boys aged 13 to 18. It was founded in 1440 by King Henry VI as "The King's College of Our Lady of Eton besides Wyndsor"....
team in 1754 and 1755, although those were not first-class matches. We do not know if the Eton teams were present or past pupils.
Cambridge University began its annual series against Cambridge Town Club (which became Cambridgeshire CCC
Cambridgeshire County Cricket Club
Cambridgeshire County Cricket Club is one of the county clubs which make up the Minor Counties in the English domestic cricket structure, representing the historic county of Cambridgeshire and playing in the Minor Counties Championship and the MCCA Knockout Trophy.The club is based at The Avenue...
) on 30 May 1817, this game marking the first-class debut of both teams.
Oxford University Cricket Club
Oxford University Cricket Club
Oxford University Cricket Club is a first-class cricket team, representing the University of Oxford. It plays its home games at the University Parks in Oxford, England...
made its first-class debut in 1827 when it played Cambridge University in the first-ever University Match.
CUCC exists as a club in its own right and has two men's teams (the Blues and the Crusaders) and one women's. Each plays an annual Varsity Match against Oxford as well as other matches throughout the University Easter term. The first team four-day Varsity match retains its first class status and alternates between being held at Fenner's and at The Parks. The one-day match is played at Lord's
Lord's Cricket Ground
Lord's Cricket Ground is a cricket venue in St John's Wood, London. Named after its founder, Thomas Lord, it is owned by Marylebone Cricket Club and is the home of Middlesex County Cricket Club, the England and Wales Cricket Board , the European Cricket Council and, until August 2005, the...
.
Cricket at Cambridge University
Cricketers who represent Cambridge University strive to be awarded a cricketing 'Blue', the University wide mark of sporting achievement. A 'Blue' is currently awarded to those representing the First XI at Lords' in the Varsity 1-day Fixture, or in the 4-Day First-Class fixture (Oxford University only awards a Blue for the First-Class Fixture). Those representing the Second XI (the Crusaders) are eligible for a 'Colour' if they represent the Crusaders in the Second XI Varsity against Oxford's 'Tics. Despite having a large winter training squad, and many players representing the University over the summer months (up to 50 players from the training squad and College level) rarely are more than a total of 12 Blues and 12 Colours awarded across a season.Old Blues are eligible to join the 'Quidnuncs'. The Quidnuncs join for a 5-yearly dinner in the Long Room at Lords, the next of which will be in 2015.
Recent History
In 2010 the Cambridge Blues played Oxford in 3 'Varsity' Matches - the Twenty20, 4-Day First-Class Fixture and the 1-Day Fixture at Lords. Cambridge won the 1-Day fixture at Lords to prevent an Oxford clean sweep chasing down 270 to win. In 2009 the results were reversed with Cambridge winning the 4-day Fixture, but losing the 1-day Fixture.See also
- The University Match (cricket)The University Match (cricket)The University Match in a cricketing context is generally understood to refer to the annual fixture between Oxford University Cricket Club and Cambridge University Cricket Club...
- University Ground, BarnwellUniversity Ground, BarnwellThe University Ground was a cricket ground in Barnwell, a suburb in northeast Cambridge, England. The first recorded match on the ground was in 1821, when Cambridge University played the Cambridge Town Club in a first-class fixture. From 1821 to 1830, the ground held eight first-class matches,...
, the original cricket ground