Who needs The Ashes?

Cambridge take on rivals Oxford in the 165th University Cricket match – the oldest sporting rivalry between the universities.

And despite last week’s defeat for Cambridge at Lord’s in the one day format of the game, the Light Blues will be looking to their results in 2008 for inspiration.

Cambridge won two of the three matches and drew the first class match at University Parks.

However, Oxford still hold the upper hand in recent years winning by an innings between 2003-5 and recording a ten-wicket win in 2006.

Despite last week’s loss at Lord’s, Cambridge University has every reason to feel hugely confident going into the game.

Chris Grammer and Anand Ashok have both had success opening the batting in recent weeks, Grammer hitting 69 against Essex in the first class fixture, whereas Ashok had two large back-to-back hundreds against the Free Foresters and Oxford MCCU.

Captain Akbar Ansari has come into form at just the right time, striking a brilliantly crafted 150 not out against a strong MCC attack last week.

Opening quick bowler Ruel Brathwaite is also in fantastic rythym, taking five wickets in the win against Loughborough MCCU, and seven wickets in his last two one day matches.

His 3-38 off ten overs was the stand-out performance for Cambridge at Lord's last Saturday. Overall, the strong Cambridge University contingent in this year's UCCE side, including left arm spinner Frankie Brown and batsman-keeper Ananya Sen, means that the Cambridge team have much experience in the longer format of the game.