Key Takeaways
- Liettres, a tiny French village, hosts an international cricket tournament celebrating the earliest recorded match in 1478.
- The 11th edition of the Liettres Challenge 1478 attracted teams from France, Belgium, and Kent, UK.
- The event includes cricket matches, a medieval fair, and other entertainment activities.
In a quaint French hamlet, the echoes of history are heard through the sounds of 'Howzat!' as players from France and Belgium compete in an international cricket tournament. This year marks the 11th edition of the Liettres Challenge 1478, a celebration of the earliest known cricket match, recorded in 1478.
The tournament, initiated by Lille Cricket Club, commemorates the incident where a 'poor gunner' named Estievenet Le Grant and a man called Cotaine Le Brasseur had a disagreement over a game of 'criquet', leading to a fatal stabbing. This event predates the first known English mention of cricket by nearly a century.
To mark the occasion, the village authorities have transformed the annual event into a medieval fair, featuring jugglers, fire-eaters, pony rides, and axe throwing. The cricket matches, however, continue to draw connoisseurs from across the region.
In 2015, the local authorities moved the tournament to a bumpy field behind the castle to provide a more authentic cricketing experience. The event has since gained popularity, with spectators now more interested in the matches than the entertainment activities.
James Worstead, the former Lille secretary, recalls the 2015 tournament, where the English team was bowled out for 13 runs, while Lille beat them with the loss of just one wicket. 'The English team were bowled out for 13 runs,' he said. 'Lille beat them for the loss of one wicket.'
Franck Pailleux, from the regional Bethune-Bruay tourism office, notes the growing interest in the game. 'Initially, there were all these entertainment activities to attract people,' he said. 'But since the tournament was launched, we’ve noticed ever more interest in the game and people actually come to watch the matches – and they are connoisseurs.'
The 2026 edition saw teams from Brussels, Arras, and Whitstable in Kent, UK, competing in the historic setting. The matches were played on a portable plastic wicket, laid out on a field that has become a symbol of cricket’s enduring legacy.
The Liettres Challenge 1478 continues to draw attention from the British press, highlighting the village's unique place in cricket history. As the tournament progresses, the echoes of 1478 resonate through the fields of Liettres, a testament to the game's timeless appeal.
The event not only celebrates the past but also brings communities together, fostering a sense of camaraderie and shared history. As the players take to the field, the spirit of 1478 lives on, ensuring that the game of cricket remains a part of Liettres' enduring legacy.
The English team were bowled out for 13 runs.
James Worstead, Former Lille secretary
Initially, there were all these entertainment activities to attract people.
Franck Pailleux, Regional Bethune-Bruay tourism office
