Mention cricket to someone with a vague awareness of the sport’s existence and no doubt it will conjure up images of rotund middle-aged men in whites on a village green somewhere in the Home Counties. It’s a sport that is bafflingly planned around meals including a break for tea and sandwiches – the ultimate embodiment of the English rural idyll.

While longer formats of cricket may well be a gentle affair, T20 is anything but. Limited to only twenty overs per side (120 balls) it’s a spectacle of athletic fielding, innovative bowling, and of course, big hits. A recent addition to the Varsity calendar, the T20 matches have provided a number of memorable encounters and this year is set to be the best yet, with both the mens and womens teams facing off against their Dark Blue adversaries.  

Speaking to Varsity ahead of the women’s match, Holly Tasker was optimistic about her side’s chances: “We are in a very strong position – this year’s BUCS fixture against Oxford was only lost by 3 runs (and we were missing several key players). New talented players and the return of our 2015 captain have strengthened our squad. It is certainly going to be a very closely fought game – it could go either way, but of course we believe in a Light Blue win!”

Rauri Crichard from CUCC is equally optimistic about the men’s team’s chances – but insists they will not take their rivals lightly: “I'd say we are confident but not resting on our laurels. We are yet to lose at home this year, so we feel extremely comfortable at Fenner's. In T20 anything can happen. But we will be well prepared, confident and with a home ground behind us, hopeful of getting the first Varsity win of 3!”

It has been an incredibly successful season for CUCC, winning 7 out of 8 completed games, with 1 other rained off. Yet to lose a game at home and victorious in all matches since mid-April, Cambridge will fancy their chances. With plenty of returning Blues expected in the T20, this will be the perfect opportunity for the Light Blues to avenge last year’s loss.

For the women's team, it has been a case of rebuilding the team and gaining as much match experience as possible before Varsity. Tasker elaborated: “this season has been all about giving players the opportunity to have some time in the middle, get some overs and wickets under their belts, and learn their roles in the team. Although on paper it might not appear to have been a successful season – we have had some really high-scoring and close games! We’ve had players getting 50s, and take three or four wickets – so we know we have a talented squad and are in a much better position than last year.”

If the promise of quality cricket is not already enough of an incentive, Holly Tasker revealed what will be in store for fans at Fenners: “We will have plenty of food and drink suppliers at the game to keep the crowd happy! There will be the Greene King beer bus, Nanna Mexico, Hot Sausage Company and Toni’s Ices! Also expect lots of music and cheering too! At the moment, the weather forecast is looking glorious – lots of sunshine and the return of the heatwave – so no better time to be outside enjoying the cricket.”

The Greene King IPA Twenty20 Varsity Match takes place at Fenners Cricket Ground on June 16th. Find out more here