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 bat 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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History
of Cricket