Fenner's

History

Cambridge University Cricket Club had previously played at two grounds in Cambridge, the University Ground and Parker's Piece. In 1846, Francis Fenner leased a former cherry orchard from Gonville and Caius College for the purpose of constructing a cricket ground. In 1848 he sub-let the ground to Cambridge University Cricket Club. Fenner's first hosted first-class cricket in 1848, with Cambridge University playing against the Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC).

A 40-foot wooden pavilion, painted blue, with a slated roof had been erected by the 1856 season.

Since 1894, Fenner's has been owned by the Cambridge University Cricket and Athletic Company; a private limited company whose Members comprise the full members of Cambridge University Cricket Club and Cambridge University Athletics Club.

In August 2024, it was announced that the university had sold land on the edge of Fenner's to Hughes Hall. Subsequently a petition was launched against development of that land.

Facilities

As well as the cricket ground, there is a 3-lane indoor cricket school.

The groundsman pioneered the art of mowing grass in strips to create patterns, a technique now common in sports stadiums around the world.

References

References

1. "Fenner's". CricInfo.
2. Thomas Henry Case. (1899). "Memoirs of a King's College Chorister". W.P.Spalding.
3. Powell, William. (1989). "The Wisden Guides To Cricket Grounds". [[Stanley Paul.
4. "First-Class Matches played on FP Fenner's Ground, Cambridge". CricketArchive.
5. (31 May 1856). "Cricketers' Chronicle". Cambridge Chronicle and Journal.
6. (2 August 2024). "Hughes Hall concludes vital land deal with University - Hughes Hall".
7. (10 September 2024). "Petition launched against proposed Hughes Hall development". Varsity Online.
8. Allen, Peter. (1999). "The Invincibles: The Legend of Bradman's 1948 Australians". Allen and Kemsley.