The hazardous sandbank which hosts the most unusual cricket match

But there’s more to the bank than being a hazard. It’s also a quirky sporting venue, hosting an annual cricket match. 

While there’s no definitive record of the first match, it’s believed to have started in the 1950s, likely inspired by the legendary British boat designer Uffa Fox. 

The match has become a quirky tradition, with the Royal Southern Yacht Club and the Island Sailing Club facing off on the exposed sandbar. The game is as much about the spectacle as the game itself.

The car carrier Hoegh Osaka, for instance, ran aground on Bramble Bank in 2015 and listed at a dramatic 52 degrees. 

Hoegh Osaka (Image: Echo) The grounding was caused by a combination of factors, including the ship’s inadequate stability and the crew’s lack of awareness of the situation. The ship was eventually refloated after 19 days.

APL Vanda, another victim of the sandbar, was deliberately grounded on Bramble Bank after losing power while entering Southampton Water in 2016. 

APL Vanda (Image: Shane Thornton/ IoW Images) The grounding was carried out to prevent the ship from drifting and potentially causing damage to other vessels or infrastructure.

This week, in a similar incident, the container ship One Maneuver ran aground on Bramble Bank after losing power while leaving Southampton Container Terminal. 

One Maneuver (Image: Echo) The ship was refloated with the assistance of tugboats and is now anchored off the coast of the Isle of Wight.