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Cricket is a multifaceted sport with multiple formats that can effectively be divided into first-class cricket, limited overs cricket, and historically, single wicket cricket.
- Overview
- Origin
- The early years
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Cricket is believed to have begun possibly as early as the 13th century as a game in which country boys bowled at a tree stump or the hurdle gate into a sheep pen.
When was the first Test match played?
The first Test match was played between Australia and England in Melbourne in 1877, with Australia winning. When Australia again won at the Oval at Kennington, London, in 1882, the Sporting Times printed an obituary notice announcing that English cricket would be cremated and the ashes taken to Australia, thus creating the “play for the Ashes.”
When was the International Women’s Cricket Council formed?
The International Women’s Cricket Council was formed in 1958 by Australia, England, the Netherlands, New Zealand, and South Africa, and later included India, Denmark, and several West Indian islands.
How many players are there on a cricket team?
Cricket is believed to have begun possibly as early as the 13th century as a game in which country boys bowled at a tree stump or at the hurdle gate into a sheep pen. This gate consisted of two uprights and a crossbar resting on the slotted tops; the crossbar was called a bail and the entire gate a wicket. The fact that the bail could be dislodged when the wicket was struck made this preferable to the stump, which name was later applied to the hurdle uprights. Early manuscripts differ about the size of the wicket, which acquired a third stump in the 1770s, but by 1706 the pitch—the area between the wickets—was 22 yards long.
The ball, once presumably a stone, has remained much the same since the 17th century. Its modern weight of between 5.5 and 5.75 ounces (156 and 163 grams) was established in 1774.
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The earliest reference to an 11-a-side match, played in Sussex for a stake of 50 guineas, dates from 1697. In 1709 Kent met Surrey in the first recorded intercounty match at Dartford, and it is probable that about this time a code of laws (rules) existed for the conduct of the game, although the earliest known version of such rules is dated 1744. Sources suggest that cricket was limited to the southern counties of England during the early 18th century, but its popularity grew and eventually spread to London, notably to the Artillery Ground, Finsbury, which saw a famous match between Kent and All-England in 1744. Heavy betting and disorderly crowds were common at matches.
The aforementioned Hambledon Club, playing in Hampshire on Broadhalfpenny Down, was the predominant cricket force in the second half of the 18th century before the rise of the Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) in London. Formed from a cricket club that played at White Conduit Fields, the club moved to Lord’s Cricket Ground in St. Marylebone borough in 1787 and became the MCC and in the following year published its first revised code of laws. Lord’s, which was named after its founder, Thomas Lord, has had three locations over its history. Moving to the current ground in St. John’s Wood in 1814, Lord’s became the headquarters of world cricket.
Learn about cricket, a bat-and-ball sport played by two teams of 11 players on an oval field with a rectangular pitch. Find out how cricket originated, how it is played, and what are its main features and variations.
Cricket is a popular sport with a long history. It was invented in the 16th century in England, but it was a long time before modern rules were used. It is played between two teams of eleven players each. One team, which is batting, tries to score runs, while the other team is fielding, and tries to prevent this.
Cricket is the world's second most popular spectator sport after association football (soccer). [1] Internationally, cricket is governed by the International Cricket Council (ICC), which has over one hundred countries and territories in membership although only twelve currently play Test cricket.
Aug 7, 2023 · The Absolute Basics. Cricket is played between two teams of 11 players on each side. Matches are officiated over by two umpires. Their decisions in the game are final. Similar to baseball, one team will bat while the other takes the field. The aim of the game is to score more runs than the opposition. Yes, it's that simple!
May 17, 2024 · Cricket, often referred to as the “gentleman’s game,” is a sport that has captivated the hearts and minds of millions across the globe. With its rich history and intricate rules, cricket has evolved from a quaint pastime played on English village greens into a global phenomenon, boasting a fan base that transcends continents.
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Cricket was invented in the South Eastern part of England in the 19th century. The British carried the game to wherever they went. This includes their colonies in Africa and Asia. After gaining freedom from the rulers, these colonies became organized in the form of Commonwealth.
