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Cricket History
The origins of
cricket are obscure, and there are several theories on how it
started. One is that shepherds used to play it - one would
stand in front of the wicket gate to the sheep fold, and
another would bowl a stone or something at him, and he would
have to hit it with his crook, which was known as a cricce.
Other theories are that it derives from a game called
club-ball, or a game played in churchyards...
The first reference to cricket being played is thought to be
in 1300, between Prince Edward and his friend Piers Gaveston
and the first recorded match took place at Coxheath in Kent in
1646. The first match between counties on 29th June 1709, when
Surrey played Kent at Dartford Brent.
The earliest known cricket photographs were taken in 1857, by
Roger Fenton at the Artillery Ground, when the Royal Artillery
played Hunsdonbury.
As well as shepherds' crooks, early bats were clubs and
sticks. These gave way to long, thin battes, which looked a
bit like straightened-out hockey sticks, because the ball was
bowled under-arm, and the batters swung their bats like
clubs!!
By the 18th century, the batte had developed into a longer,
heavier, curved version of the one we know now, carved out of
a single piece of wood.
Today's bat was invented around 1853, with the blade made of
willow, and a cane handle, which is layered with strips of
rubber, tied with twine, and covered with rubber to make a
grip. The 'V' shaped extension of the handle into the blade is
the splice. The early balls were stones and other missiles.
Rather dangerous really, and not surprising that someone came
up with an alternative! They're now made of cork, and covered
with hand-stitched leather quarters dyed red.
The wicket - the stumps are the three posts. Originally there
were two, and at one point, four. The size has varied too - in
the 17th century, were up to two metres wide!! The bails are
the two bits of wood on the top, and if they fall off, it's
all over!!
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