Greatest Cricket Moments

First MCC v Sussex Fixture at Brighton — September 1809

1809-09-04MCC vs SussexMCC v Sussex, the Steine, Brighton, 4-5 September 18091 min readSeverity: Mild

Summary

On 4-5 September 1809 the MCC played its first fixture against a representative Sussex side, on the Steine at Brighton. The match — won by MCC by four wickets — formalised Sussex's status as a major cricket county and established the MCC v Sussex fixture that would run, with interruptions, for the next two centuries.

Background

Sussex cricket had grown rapidly since the 1801 Brighton match. By 1809 the county had a settled committee and could field a side competitive with the strongest in England.

What Happened

Sussex had played as a major county since 1801 but had not previously met the MCC in a formal fixture. The September 1809 match was raised by Lord Winchilsea in correspondence with the Sussex committee. Both sides fielded full strength: MCC included Beauclerk, Lambert and Howard; Sussex fielded Hammond, the Wells brothers (drafted as given men) and George Brown. MCC won by four wickets after a tight chase. The fixture was repeated annually thereafter.

Timeline

1801

Sussex's first major match (v Hampshire)

4-5 Sep 1809

First MCC v Sussex fixture at Brighton

1839

Sussex CCC formally founded

⚖️ The Verdict

The formalisation of Sussex's major-county status and the start of the MCC v Sussex fixture.

Legacy & Impact

The MCC v Sussex fixture became one of the regular features of the Regency calendar and continued in various forms throughout the nineteenth century.

Frequently Asked Questions

Was this the first inter-county fixture for Sussex?▾
No — Sussex had played Hampshire and Surrey in the early 1800s. The 1809 match was their first against an MCC-raised side.

Tags

#regency-cricket#underarm#mcc#sussex#brighton#1809#iconic-moment

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