Cricket, as a team game with bats and ball, has been known since the middle ages of the last Millennium. The game got its name from the Saxon word for “Stick”. Historians suggest that this game is based on ancient games with a stick and a ball.
It is known that the game originated in the South-East of England. In those places, there is a large number of pastures for sheep, where low grass grew. On it the first players rolled a ball made of sheep’s wool with shepherd’s sticks.
The first historical information about cricket dates back to 1300. The chronicle of the time of Prince Edward shows the amount of money spent on the game “Krieg”.
Up to the 16th century, references to cricket were sporadic, but sometimes famous people are mentioned among them. So it became known that Oliver Cromwell in his youth was very fond of cricket.
In the eighteenth century, an attempt was made to compile the first set of rules for the game of cricket. It was called the “Code of 1744” and defined various provisions of the game, including the size of the court, bat and ball. After the game was played according to the rules, it became very popular. Already at the end of the 18th century, the first official English team of The hambledon village was created, which later founded the first Cricket club in England in 1750. Three decades later, in 1787, new rules of the game were developed.
The authors of these rules were members of the Marie-Le-Bon cricket club. Through the efforts of the English, the game of cricket spread throughout the English colonies. In 1912, the teams of Australia, England and South Africa played the first world cricket Championship. However, the championship was unsuccessful and did not determine the winner. Due to bad weather, the matches were stopped.
The World Championships were resumed in 1975. Teams from Australia, England, New Zealand, India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and East Africa participated in the second championship. Since then, the world Championships have become a regular event. It is held once every four years and involves both professional and Amateur cricket teams.
Sports equipment for playing cricket includes a ball, bat, and protective pads and gloves.
Ball
A cricket ball is a ball with a diameter of about 7 cm and a weight of about 170 grams. As a rule, the ball is made of cork wood, which is covered with natural leather painted in white or red. Parts of the skin are sewn together in the center, forming a protruding seam above the surface. This seam is of great importance when feeding. The pitcher tries to send the ball so that the ball hits the ground with this seam and changes the flight path, thereby making it difficult for the batsman to hit the ball. In some cases, the leather case is filled with compressed sawdust or tow.
A cricket bat has the form of a short paddle. On one side, the bit is flat, and on the other side there is a triangular protrusion that gives the bit the necessary rigidity.
The handle of the bit is cylindrical. When preparing for a game, it is usually wrapped in a cloth or rubber. The handle is long enough for players to hold it with both hands.
As a billet for making a bat, a wooden billet made of willow is used, from which the bat is cut. The size of the projectile must not exceed 96.5 cm and width is not more than 10.8 cm bits ranges from 1.1 to 1.4 kg.
The player’s protective equipment consists of leather gloves, a pith helmet, and plastic patch plates. The main task of protective equipment is to protect the areas of the player’s body from flying dense ball and prevent injuries.
The athlete’s shoes should be light and comfortable on the one hand, and have anti – slip properties on the other. As a rule, leather shoes with a tread sole are used.
The clothing of cricketers depends on the weather conditions, and the color of the uniform depends on the color of the ball. If the game is played with a red ball, the shape color is white or cream, and in the case of a white ball game, the shape coloring is dark.
For playing cricket, you also need a cap with a large visor or a hat with a large brim for protection from the sun.
