Varsity cricket - a one-day wonder?

The 2001 season will herald a radical new change in format to one of cricket's oldest annual fixtures - the University Match between Oxford and Cambridge.

In a break from tradition - and in what promises to be the biggest change in the fixture's 174-year history - the existing three-day match at Lord's will be replaced by a 50-over one-day game. The inaugural one-day match will take place at Lord's on Thursday 28 June, 2001.

The change has been brought about in an attempt to revitalise the fixture and return it to the forefront of the universities' annual sporting and social calendar.

"In time, we hope to transform the day into a popular summer event to rival the corresponding fixtures of the Boat Race and the rugby match," said MCC Secretary and Chief Executive Roger Knight.

"One-day cricket has proved to be a popular and exciting form of the game and I see no reason why we can't start attracting to Lord's the sort of crowds we see at Twickenham year-in year-out for the Varsity Rugby Match," he added.

The change in format has been jointly approved by Oxford and Cambridge University Cricket Clubs and the MCC.

"It was widely recognised that something needed to be done to inject some life into this prestigious fixture, and it was unanimously agreed that a one-day game was the only way forward," said Simon Porter, Chairman of Oxford University Cricket Club.

"The three-day game, formerly played at Lord's, will be replaced by a four-day match to take place annually - alternating between Fenner's and The Parks," he added.

Professor Ken Siddle of Cambridge University Cricket Club said: "I have every confidence that the match will flourish in its new format, and I very much hope that both the general public and the universities themselves get right behind the event to ensure its success."

In another exciting development, the women's Varsity Match is to be staged at Lord's for the first time in 2001 and will take place on the Nursery Pitch on the same day as the men's fixture.

Dating back to 1827, the Varsity Cricket Match is the oldest annual fixture to take place at Lord's. There have been a total of 155 official matches between the two sides, with Cambridge leading the way with 56 victories to Oxford's 48.

Further information
Entry to the match will be free to students and school children.
Two coaches will leave from the Fenner's ground at Cambridge for London at 8.15am on the morning of the match. The return journey costs £12.50. To book a place call 01223 426046.

Cricket at Cambridge
The University of Cambridge has a tradition of producing first-class cricketers. Amongst its alumni are Mike Atherton, John Crawley, Ted Dexter, Steve James, Majod Khan, Derek Pringle, Peter May and Deryck Murray.

Recently the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has established a Centre of Cricketing Excellence in Cambridge. One of six such University Centres, the Cambridge Centre is jointly run by the University of Cambridge and Anglia Polytechnic University. Its aim is to ensure that aspiring young cricketers can combine higher education with a high level of sports training.

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