Why is cricket the national sport of England?

When we talk about traditional sports in the UK cricket immediately comes to mind. It is the most popular, and by the way, one of the most beautiful bat-and-ball games.

This game wins about 2.5 billion fans around the world. It is the second most popular sports game in the world after soccer. About 65% of England’s population are cricket followers. If you are a big sports lover who wants to make some money, an information portal that helps users make predictions about the results of sports matches, as well as providing information on legitimate bookmakers.

The origin of cricket

Cricket originated around the 13th century in southeastern England. But it did not become England’s national sport until the 18th century. Originally a game for children for many generations, it was taken up by adults a little later. Today it has developed globally. The first international match was played between the US and Canada in 1844, in New York.

How is cricket played?

The goal of the game of cricket is to score more points than the opponent. Two teams of 11 players take turns batting and batting. When one team is batting, the players try to score as many runs as they can by hitting the ball around the oval field. The opposing team must take them out by throwing the ball at the stumps, which are located at each end of a 22-yard area called a wicket. The team that is bowling can get the batsmen out by hitting the stumps or catching the ball.

The first cricket team in England

The first cricket club in England appeared in Hambledon, Hampshire, in the 1760s. Wealthy patrons became the club’s first sponsors. The players were local traders and farmers. Soon the sport spread to London, where the Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) was founded. In 1835, the MCC created the first formal laws for the game. Public schools such as Eton, Harrow and Winchester contributed to the development of the sport of cricket. The sport was played by well-to-do students. An annual match called “Gentlemen vs. Players” was held at Lord’s from 1806 to 1963. There are many aspects to the game of cricket. That is why it is called a game of great unknowns. Many things can affect the outcome of performances. For example, a hot sun can interrupt the game, as once happened between India and New Zealand. There have been cases when a car suddenly drove into the middle of the field just in the middle of the game, or when a pig, snake or even a hedgehog interrupted the game. Weather conditions also affect the game. All this makes the game of cricket no less exciting and gripping for the thousands of spectators in front of their TV sets, as well as from the stands of the stadium.