Cricket originated in southeast England around 500 years ago and has since spread globally. While early rules in 1744 established standards like pitch length, cricket had rural origins as equipment was handmade from local materials and games had no time limits. The spread of cricket coincided with British colonialism, though decolonization in the late 20th century shifted the center of the game to South Asia. Modern cricket has become highly commercialized through television broadcasting and sponsorship deals.

1. HISTORY AND SPORT
THE STORY OF CRICKET

2. Reasons for which study of cricket is included
within history
 One of the use of history is to understand how the present
was made.
 Sports occupies a larger part of contemporary life.
I. Sports provide amusement and enjoyment.
II. It creates competition spirit in mind.
III. It keeps us fit mentally and physically.
IV. It also express our social loyalties.
 Cricket originated from south – eastern part of England
around 500 years ago.

3. Causes for which cricket bat was similar to hockey
stick
• The ball was bowled under the arm along the ground.
• The curve at the end of the bat gave the batsman the best
chance of making contract with the ball.
 Unique feathers of cricket
a. There is no specific time limit.
b. Length of the pitch should be 22 yards but size and shape of
the ground is not specified.
c. Almost all equipments of cricket are handmade
 Reasons for which cricket has peculiar characteristics
I. It was the earliest modern team sport for which rules were
codified.

4. Rules according to 1744
 Presence of two gentleman as umpires who shall absolutely
decide all disputes.
 The stump must be 22 inch high and the bail across them
must be six inch.
 The ball must be between 5 to 6 ounces in weight.
 The length of the pitch should be 22 yards.
 There was no limitation for the shape and size of the bat and
ground.

5. Revised Laws by MCC in 1788
 It became common to pitch the ball in air.
 It also opened new possibilities for spin and swing
 Replacement of curved with a straight bat.
 Weight of the ball was limited between 5 half to 5 third-forth
ounces.
 The width of the bat to be four inches.
 Changes in rule in 19th century
a. Exact circumference of the ball was specified.
b. Protective equipments like gloves helmets and pads were
available.
c. Boundaries were introduced.
d. Over arm bowling became legal.

6. Reasons that make cricket a pre-industrial game
or as having rural origin
a. Cricket has no time limit.
b. The vagueness/peculiarity about the size and shape of the
cricket ground.
c. Equipments of the game are made with pre-industrial
material ( the materials available in the local regions) and
they are hand-made.

7. Difference between amateurs and Professionals
Amateurs
I. Amateurs were playing for
some aristocratic valves.
II. They were not paid any
money.
III. They were called as
gentlemen.
IV. They were entering to the
ground through a separate
ground.
V. Generally, they tended to be
batsmen.
Professionals
I. Professionals were playing
cricket as an occupation to
earn their livelihood.
II. They were paid wages which
were paid by patronage or
subscription or gate money.
III. They were called as players.
IV. Professionals were not
allowed to enter through
that gate.
V. They were expected to do
the hard work of bowling.

8. The spread of Cricket
 It became the sign of superior social and racial status.
 It was played as a chance for self-respect and internation
standing.
 Two ironic criticism of the victory
I. The west Indies captain was a white player.
II. The west Indies team represented not one nation but
several dominions.
 Playing cricket was encouraging nationalist loyalties.

9. Cricket in India
• 1721 – cricket was played for the first time by English sailors.
• 1792 – first Indian cricket club was formed by the Britishers and it
was named as Calcutta Cricket club (CCC).
• 1848 – first Indian cricket club was made by Indian (parsis) and
named as Oriental Cricket Club in Bombay.
 British because of their interest in trade.
a. They were first Indian community to accept western culture.
b. They were very rich to afford money for cricket.
 Indian teams based on religion
a. Quadrangular
 Europeans
 Parsis
 Hindus
 Muslims
b. Pentangular
 Previous four and ‘ The rest’

10. Effect of decolonization on cricket
1. Imperial cricket conference was renamed as International
cricket conference by 1965.
2. To raise voice/protest against apartheid. India and Pakistan
boycott South Africa from international cricket matches.
3. By 1970, the decolonized nation of Asia and Africa combined
together with liberal feeling in Britain and forced the English
cricket authorities to prevent South Africa to play test cricket.
4. The games center of gravity was shifted to South Asia which
was symbolized by shifting of ICC headquarters from London
to Dubai.
5. Pakistan introduced two advances in bowling – doosra and
reverse swing.

11. Advantages by television cricket/ cricket as a
source of income through televising
• Cricket board became rich by selling televising rights to
television companies.
• Television channels made money by advertising the products
of various commercial industries.
• It expanded audience for the game into small towns and
villages.
• Continuous television coverage made the cricketers
celebrities.
• The technology of satellite television created a global market
for cricket.