Middleton Stoney Cricket Club in Oxfordshire is one of the oldest and friendliest cricket clubs around. Founded over 200 years ago, we play almost all our fixtures at home on Sundays in the idyllic grounds of Middleton Park, near Bicester, once home to the Earl of Jersey. We have more than 30 playing members ranging in age from under twenty to over seventy who play at a wide variety of ability levels. Selection is not based on playing merit but rather on a desire to try to match the playing strength of our opponents and give everyone a fair share of games during the course of the season.
Sunday cricket in Oxfordshire at MSCC is “friendly” cricket. We have more than 30 playing members ranging in age from under twenty to over seventy who play at a wide variety of ability levels. We do not play league cricket, nor do we play limited over cricket, with the exception of the occasional Twenty-20 midweek evening thrash. We are an inclusive club with players from a variety of backgrounds and everyone is welcome. Although we currently don’t have a women’s team (or changing facilities), we would like that to change in the future. Please do come and join us in the meantime. Any women who would like to play for us would be part of our Sunday and/or Twenty 20 teams. Selection is not based on playing merit but rather on a desire to try to match the playing strength of our opponents and give everyone a fair share of games during the course of the season. Our genuine desire to compete, excel and to win is finely balanced with the heartfelt sense that we’re also playing to have fun and enjoy the game in the spirit with which it’s intended to be played. A ‘close win’ and a ‘great match’ is always the object of any fixture. Sunday teas are traditionally home-made affairs, put together by members and their families in rotation. They are considered some of the best teas served anywhere by many of our visiting opponents. Every fixture concludes with a barbecue outside our quaint and characterful clubhouse and its bar. We run a tea rota and all the players take a turn. Players also take turns at preparing the ground and should ask the captain to be added to our WhatsApp group where this is coordinated. We are a sociable club, enjoying a number of non-cricketing events during the year organised by the club committee. We encourage players’ families to join us as much as possible to support, join in and become a genuine part of the club. Players come from a variety of backgrounds. Beyond our shared attitude to cricket, we hope there isn’t a ‘Middleton Stoney type’. All are welcome at the club. We welcome enquiries from potential new members who would like to try a few games with us to see if we’re the right club for them. We also encourage contact from new teams, touring teams – and anyone looking for a good game of cricket. So, whether you are a batsman or bowler, wicket taker or happiest batting in the middle, we welcome every type of cricketer.