Six months after securing a memorable 22nd Men’s 1st XI Premiership, past and current MCC cricketers were reminded of the significance of that victory as they witnessed the unfurling of the 2022/23 Premiership flag at the Albert Ground.
Consistent rain in the week before facing Carlton at Windy Hill in the Grand Final presented its challenges, with the weather seemingly presenting a bowler-friendly pitch.
The three days that followed would require a collective effort from all players who took the field, with a thrilling final day culminating in the ultimate success - premiership glory.
As that same side prepared to face Essendon on Saturday October 14, the 2022/23 Premiership flag was unfurled at the home treasured by so many players both past and present who have represented the Melbourne Cricket Club – the Albert Ground.
Former MCC President, Life Member and Australian Test cricketer, Paul Sheahan, was on hand to say a few words before doing the honours of hoisting the flag high above the Clive Fairbairn Pavilion.
Among the sentiment in his speech to the players was to treasure the moments as these are few and far between. Fittingly, Paul was a member of the 1972/73 1st XI Premiership team. He was also member of the Club’s 1975/76 1st XI Premiership team.
ABOVE: Former Melbourne cricketers Robert Templeton (MCC Team of the Century member), Paul Sheahan (MCC Life Member, former President and Australian Test Cricketer), Norman Carlyon (Victorian representative), David Crow (Former Vice President and Chair of Cricket) and Peter King (Former Committee member, Chair of Cricket and Victorian representative) were at the Albert Ground to celebrate the success of the current generation of MCC cricketers.
Former MCC President, Life Member and Australian Test cricketer, Paul Sheahan, was on hand to say a few words before doing the honours of hoisting the flag high above the Clive Fairbairn Pavilion.
Among the sentiment in his speech to the players was to treasure the moments as these are few and far between. Fittingly, Paul was a member of the 1972/73 1st XI Premiership team. He was also member of the Club’s 1975/76 1st XI Premiership team.
In an exciting addition to the MCC’s 2023/24 summer of cricket, a number of fixtures involving both the MCC Men’s and Women’s Premier Cricket teams will be played on the hallowed turf of the MCG.
This marks a long awaited return of Men’s Premier Cricket to the ‘G for the first time since January 2010 and the first-time Women’s Premier Cricket has been played on the iconic ground. br />
The first of the two matches will take place on Sunday November 26 when Melbourne’s Women’s 1st XI will host Box Hill Cricket Club in a One Day game, whilst defending 1st XI premiers Melbourne will play Kingston Hawthorn in a Men’s One Day game on Saturday January 20, 2024.
Senior MCC Men’s Coach Ben Vague recognised the significance of these fixtures when drawing on his own experience.
"I was very fortunate enough to play Premier Cricket on the MCG – I remember every ball from both innings, driving into the carpark, being in the rooms, the euphoria of that,” Vague said.
"I feel very grateful I had that opportunity and the fact our players will get that opportunity to walk out onto the hallowed turf is something I am so excited to see – for them to experience that enjoyment and have those memories like I have for a lifetime
"It really does make us understand how special and privileged we really are to be part of this cricket Club and get that opportunity.”