CHIPPING SODBURY CRICKET CLUB

CRICKET HISTORY

The History of the Game

The links above contain all you need to know about the first 100 years of Chipping Sodbury Cricket Club, but the actual game of cricket has a fascinating history as well.

The early stages of cricket's history are a bit of a difficult thing to get to the bottom of. The precise origins of the game remain in doubt, but there are early references from Guildford, Surrey, UK in 1598. This mention comes from the Royal Grammar School in Guildford which refers to pupils playing a game of 'creckett' in about 1550.

It's not until afterwards, in the late part of the 17th century that the first published references to cricket can be found. In one such reference it's noted how fines were handed out for those missing church in order to play cricket.

In the early parts of cricket history there are a couple of main theories as to the derivation of the word 'cricket'. One is from the old French criquet (a kind of club, or goal post).

Another puts forward the idea that the game was played among shepherds who hit a stone with their crooks and, at the same time, defended the wicket gate into the sheep pen.

Also ideas that it came from the Flemish word krick(e), (stick) or from the old English cricc, (crutch, staff) have been proposed.

In cricket's early history it was a sport which was especially regarded as an English sport. As the British empire grew at a rapid rate the game found new homes further a field. English soldiers, sailors, and ex-pats introduced cricket to Scotland, Ireland, Australia, Africa, the Caribbean, Canada, and India.

The former colonies still take great pleasure in beating England at their own game.