The History of Cricket

Shepherds Game

It's far from clear how, when and where cricket was first invented, although it would appear that within England cricket has its roots in the south east.

Reference was made to a game similar to cricket in the accounts of King Edward I, being played in Kent as early as the 13th Century.

The word "cricket" may well have been derived from a curved staff used by a shepherd that was known as a "cric".

This was reportedly used as a bat in front of the gate of a sheep pasture.

Peasants' game

Cricket was a game played mainly by young peasants and interest is believed to have already spread abroad before it gained in popularity in England late in the 17th Century.

Early in the 1760s a club was formed in Hambledon, Hampshire.

They were to be the leading side for the next 25 years as they established batting and bowling techniques that would transform the game.

Capital control

Control of the game soon moved to London though after Thomas Lord opened a ground (Lord's ground) on Dorset Fields.

The Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) was formed there and when it moved to its St Johns Wood base (Lord's) the turf from Dorset Fields moved with it.

The MCC soon became the leading club and their revised versions of the law still govern the game today.