Beechbrook Capital Cricketer Cup First Round Preview

The 2026 Beechbrook Capital Cricketer Cup gets underway in earnest this Sunday, 14 June. Following the completion of three bye round games in May, 32 teams will face off for the right to play in the final at Arundel Castle on Sunday 9 August.

Last year’s finalists have tricky away assignments. Old Tonbridgians, beaten finalists, are away to Uppingham Rovers, while Old Bedfordians, the champions for the first time, travel to Wellington.

The tie of the round is probably at Bradfield where the Waifs, 2024 champions, take on Old Cranleighans, who last won in 2018 but are always very competitive. The longest journeys seem to be Eton travelling to Shrewsbury, the Old Hurst Johnians to Millfield and the Old Brightonians to Monmouth.

Perhaps some County players will be available, although there is a round of the County Championship over this weekend. It is unlikely that Emilio Gay, England’s new opener, will be spared ahead of the next Test but he can reflect on his only appearance for Old Bedfordians in the Cricketer Cup - in 2019 at Eastbourne when he was down to bat at No 8, bowled 10 overs taking 1-40 and Bedford won by 10 wickets.

The full draw can be found elsewhere on this website.