The world cup fever is everywhere. Though I am not a religious cricket follower, I follow cricket vividly. I am more interested, not in the runs scored or the statistics. I am very much interested in the fever the game offers. The thrill! The excitment that comes with every game! And ofcourse the handsome players in all the teams. So I end up rigorously checking the schedules and planning on which day to bunk office.
This said, suddenly a bulb lighted in my head, asking me questions on how cricket was initially formed? I know its an English game and it came to rule Indians along with the British rule. And after watching Lagaan, I have some idea on how this game would have originated in India. Though, Lagaan was full of masala, there may be 1% of truth in it. But how did it get played in England and from when? Why was it called Cricket??
So, I went and dug. Found out that Cricket was started being played in the 16th Century. I understand that there is no clear documentation on how cricket was formed. But there are lots of references made as early as the 14th Century. Its origin is debated between South of England, Flemish, Dutch and French. Most references indicate that the game's name originates from Dutch connection from the word "Krick(-e)" which means crook or stick. References say that it might have even have been deried from the French word criquet meaning club or stick. Some say it has connection to the Church as well, as there is a Dutch name used "Krickstole" used to refer the stumps. This means the stool, which is used for kneeling in the churches. Since it resembles the three wooden sticks of the stumps, it is said to have connections with the Church.
Though there are no clear records as for who was the first player or which was the first team. There are references made for a club game - "Club striking the ball", being played in the early 1301 by the Prince Edward, Son of the Edward I. But no one is sure if this is actually the game of cricket as being played today. However, after this, a strong reference to this game has been made only in the 16th Century, around the year 1598, in a court case, about a team of young boys playing for the "The Royal Grammar school". This game was, at the time, referred to have been played only by children. The older people seem to have started playing this game only after the 1600's.
As early as 1624, a mortality case was also marked, due to this game. A player called Jasper Vinall is said to have died by being hit by the ball in the head. And did you know? Match fixing and huge money being used is not only the current affairs. The game was played for high stakes in the early 17th century. And first ever professional team or a proper match was recorded to have been played following the restoration in the year 1660.
The game's popularity and awareness grew in England in the 19th century with the laws of the game coming into force. The championship starting around the year 1839 with Sussex CCC. England became responsible for spreading this game to the countries like Australia, South Africa, North America, The Carribean and the New Zealand in the 19th Century and the first overseas game was played in 1859 between England & North America.
And slowly and this game reached the colonies of the UK and came to India along with the British rule. Now, Cricket is more popular in the colonies like that of India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, than that of the UK itself. This games rules us today. Any youngster in India, be it a girl or a boy gives their first priority to Cricket. Even before academics.
If 50% of the population follow cricket as their religion, another 25%, people like me, follows the game for the fun it offers. Now with the IPL coming in, the game has entered the commercial market as well.
90% of the male population, especially the married men are glued to the cricket matches, watching the telecast again and again. Oh they wouldnt mind watching the same match repeatedly. These people show the same enthusiasm in watching the match for the 50th time as they would have showed watching it Live!!! Do they feel they would get a differnt verdict at the end of the game, everytime they watch it????
All said and done, Cricket remains the main entertainment for all. Even if it is a tiff creater between husband & wife, no one would miss the World Cup. So counting the days for the World cup to start! Hoping India would take the Cup again! Long Live Cricket & Long Live Indian cricket Team...Long live my sweetheart Dhoni!!!
