How Cricket Gained International Popularity Today it is possible for fans to catch the latest live cricket on tv. With the introduction of radio and television, audience numbers rose. The Hambledon club was made up of fishermen and tradesmen, but it developed key techniques in bowling and batting which are still in use today.īy the 20th century, cricket competitions were being held throughout the year, across the country. One of the first known events was held in 1730 at the Artillery Grounds in Finsbury, London.Ī few decades later, the first proper British cricket club opened its doors. This led to more organized events being held, as well as formal rules being applied to the game.

Cricket in Englandīy the 18th century, the upper classes of British society took an interest in cricket. Thanks to the proliferation of the Empire, the sport was exported by seamen to the colonies and other parts of the globe. Today's bats would have been unrecognizable at the time, with primitive crickets bats resembling hockey sticks.īy the 17th century, cricket became a popular sport around England, and beyond. Unlike today's version of the game, centuries ago the ball was bowled underarm by the bowler, all the way on the ground through to the batsman. As time progressed, the game gained popularity and its rules became more refined. At first, it was mainly played by children and shepherds as a way to pass the time. The bat and ball game is believed to have been invented sometime in the 16th century.

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