What is Cricket? The Facts, The Fun and Everything In Between

Cricket is quintessentially an English game; not only is it England’s national game, but how many other sports can you name that break for finger sandwiches and tea or cancel play due to inclement weather?  It’s one of those sports that’s respected not only by the players but also by the spectators.

Want to move fast? Jump to the right section below.

• Did You Know?
• Fun Facts
• All Things Bats
• Get Involved

Did You Know?

It’s believed that the game of cricket could have been invented as early as the Saxon or Norman times by children in south-east England.  By the 17th-century, village cricket had begun, and the first county teams were formed. Women’s cricket even dates back as early as 1745.

Cricket was introduced to North America by English colonies as early as the 17^th century, gaining popularity and reach across the globe from the 18th century and by the 19th century it had reached as far as New Zealand and South Africa.  Dominantly an English sport, it has travelled across the globe, increased in popularity and even has its own World Cup.

Fun Facts

Dayoutinengland.com has a list of facts about all things cricket-related. We’ve pinched a few to highlight the impressiveness of cricket!

1. The longest cricket match lasted 14 days
2. The youngest player to play for England was just 18 years old
3. The oldest player to play for England  was 52 years old
4. The first Cricket World Cup was held in England in 1975
5. The first Womens World Cup was two years earlier in 1973, and it was England’s women’s team that won.

Cricket is so well known there is even a list of cricket terms in the Collins Dictionary! 

All Things Bats

All cricket bats are made from either English or Kashmir willow. English willow tends to come in at a higher price range as they are seen as the superior of the two and the choice for professional cricket players. Kashmir willow, on the other hand, tends to be a dryer and harder bat, coming in at a lower price range. For this reason, they are best suited for beginner or junior players.

Choosing the right bat is vital for gameplay, as the right size bat can have a significant effect on technical development, especially in young cricketers. Who knew there could be so many different sizes of bats? It can be a batting minefield. That’s where we come in. We’ve done our research to help you in choosing the correct bat size.

Bat Buying Guide

Once purchased, it doesn’t end there! Cricket bats require ‘knocking in’ to prepare them for play.  Doing this involves using a wooden bat mallet and hitting the bat on the face and front edges to compress the willow fibres and reduce the risk of damage to the bat. It is also best practice to oil cricket bats to keep in the moisture content, avoiding the willow from drying too much and causing cracks or splits in the wood.

Get Involved

Cricket is an amazing game to get involved in, and it’s great for anyone of any age and ability. There is always a great atmosphere around the game, not only when training but also during matches, with the added bonus of a classic cricket tea on match days!

The ECB (England and Wales Cricket Board) have made it even easier for you to get involved. Just type in your town or postcode to find clubs near you!

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