Home
About LNZCC
Honorary Officials
Club Officals
Match Managers
2008 Fixtures
2008 Match Reports
2008 Stats
Grounds
Club Stats
Sponsors

In December 1951 a small group of New Zealanders met at the old New Zealand House on the Strand and decided to try and form a cricket club for visiting Kiwis. Fired by the enthusiasm and determination of the late Trevor Campbell, they fashioned a club with the object of 'providing the opportunity for its members to play and enjoy cricket in the home of the game and to meet socially'.

Those were very difficult times and New Zealand wasn't the cricketing force that it later became. Without hope of a permanent ground the task might have discouraged lesser men, but seeking the guidance of the M.C.C they were told 'if it's New Zealand, it will be alright'.

With the blessing and the support of influential men in the game both here and at home, the Club got off to a very good start. The first President and rock on which the young club was established, E. R. T. Holmes - M.C.C. captain in 1935/6.

By 1959 Club membership was 195 with an additional 'overseas list' of 113. Early matches were played against 'An Oxford X1' at Oxford, 'A Cambridge X1' at Fenners, London University and Surrey Club at the Oval, and many more. But of the original fixtures, Ripley in Surrey, alone remains.

Since the first season, some famous cricketers have occasionally been seen in Club colours; Martin Donnelly, John Reid, Tom Pitchard, Tony MacGibbon, Bob Cunis, Richard Hadlee, Trevor Franklin, and Aaron Gale among New Zealand's best known players. Jim Laker (once in the rain), Ken Barrington, Butch White and the incomparable Graeme Pollock (at the Oval in 1967) among the others.

Through the years the numbers of available cricketers has fluctuated but, with the hard work of a few individuals and the underlying and generous hospitality of our hosts and friends amongst the clubs we play, the Club continues to thrive. There are many more former members that existing ones, with branches in Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch. Auckland and Wellington have start an annual game on neutral territory near Taupo. Perhaps that is the testimony enough that the original recipe of enjoyable cricket in good company - is the right one.