Greatest Cricket Moments

First Formal MCC v Cambridge University Fixture — June 1821

1821-06-25MCC vs Cambridge UniversityMCC v Cambridge University, Parker's Piece, 25-26 June 18211 min readSeverity: Mild

Summary

On 25-26 June 1821 the MCC played Cambridge University at Parker's Piece — the first formal fixture between MCC and a representative Cambridge XI. MCC won by an innings. The fixture is the foundation entry of the long-running MCC v Cambridge series and a marker of Cambridge's emergence as a recognised major-cricket force.

What Happened

Cambridge University cricket had been growing since the 1813 Town v Gown fixture. By 1821 the university committee was confident enough to host MCC. The June 1821 match — at Parker's Piece — was MCC's first against a representative Cambridge XI. MCC fielded full strength; Cambridge included the rising undergraduate Charles Wordsworth. MCC won by an innings.

Timeline

1813

First Cambridge Town v Gown fixture

25-26 Jun 1821

First MCC v Cambridge fixture

1827

First University Match: Oxford v Cambridge

⚖️ The Verdict

The foundation of the MCC v Cambridge fixture series and a milestone in the development of university cricket.

Tags

#roundarm-era#mcc#cambridge-university#parkers-piece#1821#iconic-moment

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