Edward Kendall
It’s the cricket season! For me, this statement normally conjures up images of village cricket, as portrayed by A. G. Macdonnell; the smell of locally brewed Harveys; and sumptuous match teas! However, what is the history behind this stereotypically British tradition?
The earliest known implication of the sport’s existence was in 1598, when it was known as creckett. The name may have had its origins in the Middle Dutch krick, meaning a stick; or the Old English cricc or cryce meaning a crutch or staff. Despite these implicit references, however, the first definite mention of the game was in an account given by the coroner John Derrick, in a court case, testifying that he and his school friends had played creckett fifty years earlier while they were pupils at the Free School in Guildford, Surrey. Derrick’s account proves beyond doubt that cricket was being played in 16th century Surrey, but this early form of cricket probably resembled stool ball (a possible ancestor of cricket) more closely than it did modern cricket.
The first rules of cricket – as we now know it, at least - were formulated by the Duke of Richmond and Alan Brodick in 1728. In 1788 the rules were formally established and upon their establishment at Lord’s in 1788, the MCC duly took custody of the games laws and regulations. Only then did cricket begin to resemble the game we know today.
The introduction of railways in the 19th century revolutionised cricket, allowing, as it did, teams from all over the country to play against each other – in this century we saw the birth of county cricket. Sussex was the first county to form a team and it was quickly followed by others. The sport quickly became known as a game for gentleman owing to the qualities and skills required during the game’s play (not for nothing did Wellington remark that the Battle of Waterloo was won on the playing fields of Eton!). Before long, Cricket had sparked off volumes upon volumes of literature and poetry that praised, or satirised, the game, thus embroiling it into our rich cultural tapestry.
So, the next time you head to your local for a match and a pint, or the next time you choose to visit one of London’s best cricket pubs, you can appreciate the traditions and history of the sport that brings everyone together – on and off the pitch. How much sweeter will that beer taste in such knowledge!
Edward Kendall is a young aspiring writer from Kent who clearly enjoys cricket, pints and a good match tea.
It’s the cricket season! For me, this statement normally conjures up images of village cricket, as portrayed by A. G. Macdonnell; the smell of locally brewed Harveys; and sumptuous match teas! However, what is the history behind this stereotypically British tradition?
The earliest known implication of the sport’s existence was in 1598, when it was known as creckett. The name may have had its origins in the Middle Dutch krick, meaning a stick; or the Old English cricc or cryce meaning a crutch or staff. Despite these implicit references, however, the first definite mention of the game was in an account given by the coroner John Derrick, in a court case, testifying that he and his school friends had played creckett fifty years earlier while they were pupils at the Free School in Guildford, Surrey. Derrick’s account proves beyond doubt that cricket was being played in 16th century Surrey, but this early form of cricket probably resembled stool ball (a possible ancestor of cricket) more closely than it did modern cricket.
The first rules of cricket – as we now know it, at least - were formulated by the Duke of Richmond and Alan Brodick in 1728. In 1788 the rules were formally established and upon their establishment at Lord’s in 1788, the MCC duly took custody of the games laws and regulations. Only then did cricket begin to resemble the game we know today.
The introduction of railways in the 19th century revolutionised cricket, allowing, as it did, teams from all over the country to play against each other – in this century we saw the birth of county cricket. Sussex was the first county to form a team and it was quickly followed by others. The sport quickly became known as a game for gentleman owing to the qualities and skills required during the game’s play (not for nothing did Wellington remark that the Battle of Waterloo was won on the playing fields of Eton!). Before long, Cricket had sparked off volumes upon volumes of literature and poetry that praised, or satirised, the game, thus embroiling it into our rich cultural tapestry.
So, the next time you head to your local for a match and a pint, or the next time you choose to visit one of London’s best cricket pubs, you can appreciate the traditions and history of the sport that brings everyone together – on and off the pitch. How much sweeter will that beer taste in such knowledge!
Edward Kendall is a young aspiring writer from Kent who clearly enjoys cricket, pints and a good match tea.
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