Duke of Norfolk's XI

Duke of Norfolk's XI

The Duke of Norfolk's XI is a scratch cricket team. It was originally named for the 16th Duke, but following his death in 1975 the team played on in his widow's name as Lavinia, Duchess of Norfolk's XI. After her own death in 1995, the title reverted to the original, in the name of the 17th (until 2002) and then 18th Dukes.

The English international summer has traditionally been marked by a fixture between this team and the tourists at Arundel Castle, the seat of the Dukes of Norfolk. Indeed the team has played almost all its matches in England at that ground, although one match against the International Cavaliers in 1966 was played at Hove. The team was typically largely made up of county players not involved in other games, mixed with recently retired internationals. Derek Randall, Robin Smith and Andy Flower are among those to have played for the Duke's team.

The Duke of Norfolk's XI has played a small number of first-class games: in 1956-57 they embarked on the first of two overseas tours, playing three first-class matches against Jamaica; the touring team won two with the other match being drawn. The other important tour was also to the Caribbean, in 1969-70, when three first-class and one List A games were played against the island teams, with one win, two losses and one draw for the Duke's side.