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The trajectory of cricket is full of interesting events and characters. This is because the game has been played by kings and queens, and has also been used for political and military purposes. As we are passionate about this sport (and we believe you are too), we will show in this article points that marked the history of cricket.
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The Sporting Culture in Cricket’s History
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The history of cricket began in England and spread to other parts of the world, becoming a global sport. Today, it is played in over 100 countries. However, England, Australia, and India stand out as the main powerhouses of the sport.
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The game, which was initially practiced by young people, was first documented in 1597. By the 17th century, the sport became popular among adults, especially in the upper social classes. The arrival of the British spread this craze to various places, and cricket became part of the global sports scene.
The Greatest Cricket Player of All Time
You can’t talk about the curiosities of cricket history without mentioning the legend of the sport, Donald Bradman. He is the greatest cricket player of all time, with an average of 99.94 runs in test matches.
Bradman was nicknamed “The Don” and instilled fear in opponents because of his super consistency. The way he played was innovative at the time, with a unique stance and precise movements.
First Rules of the Game
The first rules of the game were created in 1744. In the past, cricket was played with improvised rules and locations. In the initial rules, standards for the size of the field, dimensions of the bat and wicket, and other rules of the sport were standardized.
These laws were written by the London Cricket Club. The text also included basic rules for bowling, batting, and scoring. They defined the length of the pitch, the area between the wickets, and the criteria for judging a player as “out”.
The First International Cricket Match
The first international cricket match took place in September 1844. It was a contest between the United States and Canada. This can be considered a great surprise, given that cricket’s origin is English.
The match took place in New York, and the Canadian team that traveled for the event was received with great hospitality. For those wondering who won, the answer is Canada, with the United States suffering a defeat by 23 runs.
The First Female Umpire
The first woman to act as an umpire in cricket was Jacqueline Williams. She was born in Jamaica and began her career as a player but soon realized her ability as an umpire.
Williams was one of the first women to umpire men’s matches. She participated in international games, such as the One Day International (ODI) and the Twenty20 International (T20I). Her ability to umpire games fairly, combined with competence and integrity, is inspiring.
Read more: 6 apps to watch live cricket and feel like you’re on the pitch
Introduction of T20 Cricket
The Twenty20 cricket, or T20, emerged in the early 2000s to attract more viewers and make the game faster. With this, teams have less time to bat and bowl, resulting in more exciting games than in test and one-day formats.
T20 became popular and gave rise to leagues like the Indian Premier League (IPL). It started in 2008 in India and was the first competition of its kind, becoming one of the most famous and highest-grossing leagues in the world.
The First Cricket World Cup
The first Cricket World Cup took place in 1975, in England, and was named the Prudential Cup after the sponsor. In this event, teams from 8 different countries participated.
In this event, the One Day International (ODI) format was adopted. Each team had 60 overs to bat. The game was extremely dynamic and strategic, even with the nature of cricket being a more patient sport.
Celebrities of the Cricket World
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W.G. Grace is a name of great influence in the sports world. He was born in 1848 in England and became one of the first celebrities of cricket. The player combined technique with charisma, winning over many fans.
Another name of great influence in cricket is Brian Lara. The athlete is one of the greatest batters in modern times of the sport. An interesting fact about Lara occurred in 2004, when he scored 400 not-out runs in England.
The Longest Cricket Game in History
It’s clear that cricket is a game that requires patience and strategy, right? But imagine the longest game of all time, when England played against South Africa for 14 days!
The reason for this long duration was the format, which had no time limit. In other words, the game continued until there was a result. But in the end, there was no winner – both teams ended up drawing. Bizarre, right?
Did you enjoy learning more about the origins of cricket?
The history of cricket is quite extensive and full of interesting things. It all started in England, as a children’s pastime, but soon caught on among adults and spread globally, mainly because of the British.
Although it’s a somewhat complicated sport that requires patience, cricket gives us exciting games full of twists and turns, capable of creating unforgettable moments.
