Figure 1.--. |
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Cricket is associated with no county more than England. It is generally seen as ye quinesencial English game. It certainly is a civilized game. The English even stop in the middle of a match to have tea! While most associated with England, cricket is played throughoutthe former British Empire. Cricket is especially popular in the Caribbean and South Asia. It was even played in fghanistan--with some local innovations. The one British Empire country where cricket did not prove popular is Canada. I am not sure why, presumavly the American influence. I do not know of any country where cricket is extensively played that was not a British Empire county or at least influenced by the British. Cricket is virtually unknown in America. The Revolution occurred before cricket was firmly established as a standardized sport.
Cricket was even played in Afghanistan--with some local innovations. In pre-war Afganistan, the MCC, was one of the few international organisations that had any link with that country. Ceicket in Afghanistan was considered a manly sport. An observer writes, "I have seen how they play, and many professional
cricketers, from any nation, wouldn't like to face their fast bowlers, in full protective gear. The Afgans, do wear pads, and nothing else, other than everyday clothing--it is considered unmanly.
I do not know of any country where cricket is extensively played that was not a British Empire county or at least influenced by the British. Cricket is, however, virtually unknown in America. The Revolution occurred before cricket was firmly established as a standardized sport. There is some limited cricket in the States, but it is not normally played a school. We notice ethnic groups organizing leagues. Many Americans find cricket a bit of a laugh, but actually cricket can be quite dangerous.
Cricket began to developin Enflsand (17th century). It was at first enjoyed by aristocrativc people, but gradually developed a wide-spread following at the village level. Unlike rugby it was not asport developed at the public schools, but rather an already popular sportwhich the schools adopted. Cricket was introduced to Australia by English colonists (19th century). The game began to be played regularly in Sydney. Melbourne formed its first cricket team (1838). The first international cricket game was between the United States and Canada (1844). At the time, baseball was stiil evolving. English crickateers put together a team of professionals and toured America and Canada (1859). Another English team toured Australia (1862). Australia formed it's first international cricket team which toured England (1868). It was composed of Aboriginal players. The Australian cricket team is the national cricket team of Australia. It has the destinction of being the joint oldest team in Test cricket. They played in the first Test match (1877). They defeated England by 45 runs. This began the criket rivalry which began between Australia and England. The first national cricket association in Australia was the Australian Cricket Council (1842-1900). Thiswas replaced by the Australian board of Control for International Cricket. I is npow known as the International Cricket Council. The Australian Cricket Board was dounded (1973). One source estimates thsat cricket is played by more than 0.5 million Australians, inmcluding some women. In England, cricket is not general seen as a girl's sport. The sport is a major sport at private schools in Australia as well as many state secondary schools.
The one British Empire country where cricket did not prove popular is Canada. I am not sure why, presumavly the American influence.
Britain colonized several Caribbean islands. Cricket is an especially popular sport there. Somne of the most important islands are Barbados, Jamaica, and Trinidad.
Cricket is associated with no county more than England. It is generally seen as ye quinesencial English game. It certainly is a civilized game. The English even stop in the middle of a match to have tea! While most associated with England, cricket is played throughout the former British Empire. Cricket has been played in England by clubs or schools. In the early years there was also village cricket. Today in England, Outside of private schools, most junior cricket is now played in youth sides attatched to local clubs.
Cricket is played in New Zealand at both private and state schools. Th greatest attention is at private schools. Of course the dominant sport is rugby.
We are not sure how popular cricket is in South Africa. We notice cricket being played at private schools in South Africa.
Cricket is also popular in South Asia, an ingeritance of the British Raj. The most important countries are: India, Pakestan, and Sri Lanka.
Cricket was brought to Sri Lanka by the British during the colonial period when they governed Ceylon. In early years cricket was restricted to British people who lived in Sri Lanka Before the independence. But after the independence cricket has becoming popular among the Sri Lankans and as a result many boys’ schools started to provide facilities to practice cricket as an extra-curricular activity. The standard uniform for cricket in Sri Lanka is a short sleeved white T-shirt and long white trousers. The original T-shirt was long sleeved, but Sri Lanka chooses short sleeved shirts due to the tropical climate. These clothes should be a relaxed-fit and not to be tight to the body. Schoolboy cricketers also follow this dress code but based on the age the pants become short or long. Usually boys under 15 years wear short pants instead of long pants. Short pants are worn at lengths between just above knee-length and mid-thigh length. This uniform differentiation is to help identify the junior and senior players/ teams. Shoes and socks also should be in white and made from canvas or synthetic. Shoes need to be absorb sweat to reduce heat. Also cotton socks are popular due to this reason. When playing cricket using soft-balls (balls made by rubber or other lightweight material) players only caps or hats. But when play using regulation leather and very hard balls, only the batsman and the wicket keeper wear a head-gear (helmet). Sometimes, during inter-school matches players wear colour T-shirts instead of white shirts. Sometimes it is identifiable instructors/ team leaders advices junior players (15 years and under) to wear long pants instead of short pants to minimize injuries can be happened during the match (game).
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