Eton v Harrow and Oxford v Cambridge games to remain at Lord’s until 2027

Lord’s will continue to host Eton v Harrow and Oxford against Cambridge for the next five years after a compromise deal was struck over the future of the historic fixtures.

MCC, which owns the home of cricket, announced last year that the annual matches would be removed from its calendar but that was met with a robust response from some elements of its membership.

Sign up to The Spin

Subscribe to our cricket newsletter for our writers' thoughts on the biggest stories and a review of the week’s action

after newsletter promotion

Stephen Fry, in his capacity as MCC president, spoke in support of the changes and said they would help challenge a “turgid image of snobbery and elitism” but both were played in 2022 amid the threat of a special general meeting and a damaging split.

A consultation of members was subsequently conducted and the executive have now resolved to guarantee the fixtures, which date back to 1805 and 1827 respectively, until 2027. At that stage a further review will be held, with the prospect of a formal vote over the matter to follow.

It had been argued that the dates given over to two private schools and varsity matches might be used more meritocratically, to host the finals of open tournaments available to all comers. As part of the new arrangement, organisers of such competitions will be invited to stage their showpiece games at Lord’s from 2024 onwards.

That means a marginal increase on active playing days at the main ground, up from 60 to 62, which could further squeeze the work of groundstaff as they attempt to provide the best possible pitches for international and domestic cricket at the famous venue.