MCC clutching its pearls over moribund Eton v Harrow and Varsity matches

There’s a classic Fry and Laurie sketch where two Test Match Special-style commentators work themselves into a state of ecstasy with their observations on pigeons, buses, mown grass and the like. “Creamy old England … custard creams … strawberries and cream!” they yelp, climactically. The comic pair always enjoyed satirising the nostalgic cult of Englishness; now Stephen Fry is about to become president of one of the most nostalgically English institutions in sport.

It’s a smart appointment, not least because absurdist comedy is an excellent grounding for any role at Marylebone Cricket Club. On Monday Fry takes up his year-long position as president in the wake of a big week for MCC. First it had to weigh in with an official ruling on the Charlie Dean run-out that capped and, in some minds, ruined England’s final ODI against India at Lord’s. Then it temporarily reinstated the Eton v Harrow and Varsity matches, whose removal had Henry Blofeld threatening seppuku on his little red membership card.

All this made headlines because MCC, whose 18,000-strong membership exists largely as a cheap subscription to seats at Test matches, retains a legacy influence in the administration of the game. Also because there’s nothing more schadenfreudean than the words “civil war at Lord’s”. The conciliatory event last Tuesday – when a potentially rancorous meeting and divisive vote was called off at the last minute through compromise on both sides – was inevitably reported as a humiliating U-turn. It was even said to be an embarrassment for Fry, who had no role in the proceedings and seems constitutionally unlikely to be embarrassed by any of this.

Outside the Grace and Heyhoe Flint Gates, the fuss over whether to host a couple of