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For those who know little or nothing of Cricket, the Lord's ground in St John's Wood, N W London is its spiritual home. It is in fact the home of the Marylebone Cricket Club, but is named after its founder Thomas Lord. The ground was opened in 1814.
Lord's is where all the country's most important Cricket matches are played. Test matches, County finals, and even prestigious School and University matches.
One particular schools match has been played there since its foundation, but was actually already being played ten years earlier. It involves Boris Johnson's old school against that of another Prime Minister, Winston Churchill. The two schools have always been sporting opponents. This annual 'grudge match' has been fought over since 1805.
The MCC, in their superior wisdom, have now decided that in the name of egalitarianism, this match will no longer be played at Lord's. Instead they have instigated a Twenty/20 match which will be open to all Secondary Schools, with the final being played at Lord's instead of the one played for the past two centuries.
The traditional 200 year old annual match will, of course, continue and in future will be played at the Wormsley Estate in Oxfordshire; in fact the site of their very first rivalry match back in 1805, which featured Lord Byron.
All I can add is that I do hope that both these schools will also take part in the new competition, and do well enough to face each other in the final. Otherwise the last game of its sort was played just a few days ago on June 28th 2022. Churchill's alma mater won!
I wonder if they are planning to stop the annual Oxbridge match as well? The Boat Race maybe? Where will this 'egalitarian' dumbing-down stop?
Poor old Blighty; high standards are no longer welcome.
I agree with you. In a way one could argue that sports is not egalitarian as long as teams compete and there are winners and losers. That is sad to lose the continuance of a historic match played at Lords. Maybe common sense will rule and it will come back to Lords.
ReplyDeleteConstantly reaching for the 'lowest common denominator' has become the norm' in the UK. Tradition is important, and the more they remove, the less 'special' the country becomes.
DeleteThe "lowest common denominator" thing is happening everywhere. School curriculums are being dumbed down so no one has to feel stupid or get upset when they don't understand the lessons. It's unfair to all the really bright kids who sit there getting held back, bored out of their minds and then get into mischief out of sheer frustration.
DeleteI think if today's school children sat the same exam papers as we sat; they wouldn't have a clue!!!
DeleteThis would appear to be yet another example of cultural vandalism, an all too common feature of the twitterati who seem to have far too much influence these days.
ReplyDeleteI did see that some committee members have threatened to resign, as this was all done behind their backs by a small clique.
DeleteAt school, I expect that Churchill learnt about ploughing and farm management as well as harrowing.
ReplyDeleteHence, he was often seen with a harrowed expression on his face.
DeleteFrom your post title I thought you were going to write about The House....
ReplyDeleteThe other 'House'.
DeleteI generally support and enjoy tradition. I think the current match should continue. I also enjoyed and was a member of a PMC that was a bastion of privilege. Not, wealth, but privilege. I suspect most of the country's ancient PMCs have gone through lack of funds and members. Where I would take issue with you is your statement that " high standards are no longer welcome.".
ReplyDeleteThe Harrow v Eton match was one of privilege not necessarily high standards. Presumably one open to all schools will give H and E the opportunity to prove if they are of the highest standard.
Both Eton and Harrow maintain very high standards. The Common Entrance exam is not just another 11+; It's a very exacting test of knowledge. No point claiming 'privilege' if you can't pass the entrance exam.
DeleteThe academic standards may be high, as you say, but sporting standards may no longer be so. I believe that is what Graham Edwards meant. If I am wrong then I apologise.
DeleteRiver, that is what I was trying to say.
DeleteI think it goes without saying that the standard of Cricket will be lesser as a result of this decision.
DeleteRegardless of ideal of egalitarianism, it is a shame when long held traditions are swamped by modern thinking.
ReplyDeleteIn a few years they'll probably regret being so 'woke'. Once you lose tradition, it's very difficult to establish it again.
DeleteI suppose Acuri/Symondsgates show where Blightys standards are set. Sex is sex but not at work in return for actual or potentially for huge wedges of public cash , now, back to the cricket
ReplyDeleteI have no idea what you're talking about. Back to Cricket.
DeleteThe world is changing Cro, sometimes for the better, sometimes not, but arguably it's no longer for us to decide. But if Harrow and Eton want to continue their annual match, or any other tradition, why can't the venues be available for hire?
ReplyDeleteThey've already found a new venue, at Getty's gaff; Wormsley.
DeleteI agree with your statement about "lowest common denominator" being the standard of choice and it can be seen in almost everything. Regarding ivy league schools in the US, it is commonly known that there are legacy standards, parents pay off somebody to get their child admitted, and benefactors that get admission privileges. Occasionally, these things get exposed, investigated and even prosecuted. The press covers them. Problem solved? I doubt it. The way of the world?
ReplyDeleteIn the top private 'academic' schools in the UK, I know that this isn't the case. They are very selective, and money plays no part. The thick child of a Duke stands no chance. The very first criteria is 'brains'.
DeleteCro, I'll trust you on this to perhaps use the information in the future. Similar as Susan describes has happened here. All kiddies must get a prize.
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