MADRAS CRICKET CLUB (MCC)

More than 150 years of cricketing history is what makes the Madras Cricket Club (MCC) the hallowed institution it is today.  Sir Alexander J. Arbuthnot established it in 1846. In its early years, it hosted friendly matches against army teams, visiting ship’s crews, the Bangalore Gymkhana and the Kolar Gold Fields Club.  The first ‘Test’ match was held in 1864 against the visiting Calcutta Cricket Club.

The MCC operated from the Island and Assembly grounds till 1865, when it shifted to the Chepauk ground.  The MCC played against the Colombo Cricket Club in 1866, these matches developed into a popular series.  The Presidency matches began in 1908 and were an annual feature till 1948.

In 1926, the MCC became an incorporated body.  The first Indian to become member of MCC was Kumara Raja Sir Muthiah of Chettinad in 1935.  He later became the first Mayor of Madras (Chennai). 

Among the members who have done the club proud are Cricketer S. Venkataraghavan, Davis cupper Ramanathan Krishnan and National Snooker champion Siddharth Rao. 

Facilities at the Madras Cricket Club:

Sports

Cricket – MAC ‘A’ ground for club teams.
Hockey – MAC ‘B’ ground for local league matches and practice matches.
Badminton – Two indoor Badminton courts of international standards. 
Billiards and Snooker - Two tables in an air-conditioned room.
Squash - Three courts with wooden flooring, one of them with a glass back wall.
Tennis - Four clay courts, of which two are flood lit.
Swimming Pool - With dressing rooms and separate children’s pool.
Gymnasium - Air-conditioned, with the latest fitness machines and a trained attendant.
Little Shoppe- Sports shop, offering sports wear of reputed brands.

Cuisine

Bouncer - Snacks, desserts, chaats and dinner.
Kitchen - North and South Indian fast foods, Chinese and club cuisine.
The Cricketer - Air-conditioned family dining room.  Buffet during weekends for lunch.
Yorker - Air-conditioned bar. Dress regulations - Trousers, Collared shirt and shoes recommended.
C.P. Johnstone Pavilion - A la carte service for food and beverages.

Other Facilities

Library - Best sellers, magazines, general knowledge, reference books and a ‘cyber library’.
Open Terrace - For parties and press meets.  Accomodates 60.
Silver Duck- Air-conditioned furnished hall for 25 with a garden for parties.
Chambers -  Open to guests and affiliated club members. 10 air-conditioned rooms with Television, Refrigerator and Telephone.  Checkout time - 24 hours.  Complimentary breakfast and Temporary membership, thus giving access to all facilities on a cash basis.

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MADRAS BOAT CLUB

With a history of more than hundred and thirty years Madras Boat Club (MBC) is one of the oldest in the country. It was started by a few Englishmen in the placid backwaters of Ennore in 1867.

The club was relocated to its present location in 1892, to make available an exclusive stretch of water, for the rowers. Regular Inter-club and Intra-club regattas were held in the early years of the club. The MBC was one of the founding members of the Amateur Rowing Association of the East (ARAE).

In 1967 - the club's centenary year, M.M. Muthiah was the first Indian to be made the club's President. The club celebrated its centenary year by winning the Willingdon fours at the inaugural regatta of the ARAE.

Organised training and coaching were introduced in the early seventies through the efforts of Borun Chanda. With this kind of preparation, the MBC bagged all the three trophies at the ARAE regatta in 1973. The MBC has since won many laurels for Tamilnadu and India.

The MBC team representing Tamilnadu in the 1981 Nationals at Pune, bagged four out of the six medals. The MBC women's team won the silver for India at the Asian Rowing Championship in 1989.

A complete set of boats and oars have been imported recently from the United States of America. Today the MBC is one of the best-equipped clubs in the country.

Address: Madras Boat Club, # 2, 3rd Avenue, Boat Club Road,
R.A.Puram, Chennai - 600 028
Phone: 435 3190

For more details visit: www.madrasboatclub.com

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