A Cricketing Tradition Since 1896

The MCC Club XI Competition traces its origins to 1896, when the Melbourne Cricket Club found itself with more cricketers than places available in its Victorian Cricket Association (VCA) teams.

Determined to provide its members with the opportunity to continue playing cricket, the MCC established an internal competition comprising five teams, captained by Messrs Gordon, Rhind, Culliton, Lamb and Howden. The teams finished the inaugural season in that order.

What began as a practical solution to accommodate the Club’s growing number of cricketers would develop into a competition with its own identity, traditions and enduring friendships.

The arrival of the Old Boys clubs

As the competition developed, groups of MCC players with shared backgrounds and interests, particularly former schoolmates, began forming their own teams.

A significant milestone came in the 1926/27 season when Old Melburnians, Old Scotch and Old Xaverians joined the competition alongside the existing MCC sides, traditionally known as the A’s, B’s, C’s, D’s and E’s.

Other clubs would follow, strengthening the competition and establishing relationships and rivalries that have endured for generations.

In 1949/50, the competition introduced the Hector Donahoo Trophy, which continues to be awarded to the Division 1 premiers.

A competition unlike any other

The Club XI developed a distinctive place in Victorian cricket.

At a time when veterans’ cricket did not exist in its modern form, the competition offered cricketers the opportunity to continue enjoying competitive cricket while balancing careers, family responsibilities and other sporting commitments.

It attracted former first-class and international cricketers, prominent Australian Rules footballers, MCC Committee members, professionals and entertainers.

For many, the attraction was not simply the opportunity to play cricket, but the friendships, camaraderie and enduring connection to their clubs.

The people who made the Club XI

The competition has seen some of the most illustrious cricket, professional, MCC Committee and entertainment personalities participate in it. Such names include:

But a list of names tells only part of the story. Some of the competition’s most interesting history lies in the circumstances that brought these individuals to Club XI cricket and the years they spent playing alongside their teammates.

Footballers who loved their cricket

The Club XI provided an opportunity for prominent Australian Rules footballers to continue playing cricket when their football commitments made regular cricket training difficult.

Among those who played were Hassa Mann with the MCC A’s, Ron Barassi, Neil Crompton, Robert Flower and Ken Allison with the MCC C’s, Ian Law and John Hendrie with Hawthorn, and Ross Oakley with Old Wesley.

Michael McCarthy played Club XI cricket for many years as a young man while pursuing his football career with Hawthorn, during which he was part of the club’s premiership success.

Their involvement reflects the flexibility that made Club XI cricket particularly attractive to sportspeople who wanted to continue playing competitive cricket without the training commitments of higher-level competitions.

International cricketers and other distinguished players

The competition also attracted players who had represented Victoria, Australia and other countries at the highest levels of cricket.

Former Victorian and Australian cricketer Ray Jordon played with the MCC A’s for many years while pursuing his football coaching career.

The Nawab of Pataudi, affectionately known to his Club XI teammates as “Pat”, played for Melbourne University and participated in the Club XI. He subsequently became one of India’s most celebrated international cricketers.

Former Governor of Victoria and distinguished surgeon David de Kretser was another longstanding participant, having previously played Premier Cricket for Melbourne University.

Geoff Mathers, a prominent member of the MCC C’s and a Victorian and Australian baseball representative, reportedly regarded his Club XI years as among his most memorable experiences in cricket. Like many other participants, his commitments to another sport made the Club XI an ideal place to continue playing.