Key Events That Shaped Cricket Into a Global Sport
The chapter, the story of cricket of. Class 7, explains the entire cricket world. It starts by telling us everything about the sport's history and how it came into being. This is one of the earliest forms of the game in which people play with a ball and a bat in England. The story of cricket class 7 summary will also define the terms for a better understanding of the sport, such as 'bat' and more. It will also take us through the evolution of the game from previous years to the present.
The chapter explains to the reader every detail of cricket, including the history of the game, rules, players involved, and every detail. In addition to the use of technology in this sport, it will also teach them about cricket equipment and modern cricket. Readers learn about its roots, which date back to 500 years ago, beginning with history. Also, see how the hockey stick curving outwards was first used as a bat.
The chapter Story of Cricket goes on to the cricket rules and students will see how they started back in 1744. The rules will help them settle the matter in the event of any umpire facing any conflict. The stumps must be 22 inches high and the bails must be six inches, as per the rules. Likewise, the ball should be about five or six ounces in weight. The first cricket club had its origins in Hambledon in the 1760s.
History of Cricket
Cricket is one of the many games played in England over the past 500 years with a ball and bat. It evolved around the 17th century as a separate game. Initially, the bat used to be like the hockey stick curving outside in the middle of the 18th century. The only format of any game played for five days and can still end in a draw is the test matches played in cricket.
Cricket is generally believed to have survived for many generations as a children's game before it was increasingly taken up by adults around the beginning of the 17th century. Cricket might have been derived from bowls, assuming that bowls are the older sport, by the intervention of a batsman trying to stop the ball from hitting it away from reaching its target.
When two men in Sussex were prosecuted for playing cricket on Sunday instead of going to church, the first reference to cricket being played as an adult sport was in 1611. A dictionary defined cricket as a boys' game that same year, indicating that adult participation was a recent development. In 1744, cricket laws were written stating that two umpires must decide all disputes. The height of the stumps must be 22 inches, and the bail must be six inches. The ball must be between 5 to six ounces in size.
In the 1760s at Hambledon and 1787 at the Marylebone cricket club, its first cricket club was formed. Bowlers gave variation to bowling after 1770.
In the story of cricket, the students get to know about all the facts related to its history.
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Equipment of Cricket
The game's equipment refers to the instruments used in cricket, such as the bat, ball, stumps, gloves, pads, etc. The essential mechanisms are all made of pre-industrial, natural materials. Even today, both the bat and the ball are not industrially produced by hand. The bat consists of two parts, the blade made of willow tree wood and the handle made of cane. Cricket declined to use industrial or human-made materials such as plastic, fibreglass, and metal to redesign its instruments. But in terms of protective equipment, technological advances have affected cricket. The discovery of vulcanized rubber contributed to the introduction in 1848 pads and shortly afterwards of protective gloves. Cricket is now impossible without helmets constructed from lightweight metal and synthetic materials.
Rules for Playing Cricket
Cricket is a game played on a large field, known as a ground, between two teams of 11 players, each with a bat and ball.
There are two umpires in place during games to apply the law and ensure the cricket rules are maintained throughout the game. Referees are responsible for the decision-making and notification of these decisions to the scorers. Two scorers react to the signals of the umpires and maintain the score.
In cricket, the primary purpose is to score as many runs against the opponent as possible. The captain of both teams will throw a coin before the game starts, with the winner of the toss being able to determine which team bats and fields first.
Every cricket game consists of periods known as innings, and before the game, usually one or two, the number of innings that each team has will be decided. One team bats the ball during an inning while the other tries to catch.
FAQs on Story of Cricket: Complete Summary of Its History and Evolution
1. What are the origins of cricket as explained in 'The Story of Cricket'?
Cricket originated in the fields of southern England around the 17th century as a distinct bat-and-ball game. The earliest form used a bat that was shaped like a hockey stick, curving outwards at the bottom. This design was logical because, in early cricket, the ball was bowled underarm along the ground.
2. How did key cricket equipment like the bat and ball evolve over time?
The evolution of cricket equipment was significant. Key changes include:
- The Bat: The original curved bat was replaced with a straight-edged bat once bowlers started pitching the ball through the air. This allowed for more powerful and varied strokes.
- The Ball: The ball remained largely handmade for a long time, consisting of a cork core, wound with twine, and encased in a leather cover with a prominent seam.
- Protective Gear: Early cricket had no protective gear. The invention of vulcanised rubber led to the introduction of pads in 1848, followed by gloves and, much later, helmets.
3. Why is Test cricket considered a unique sport in terms of its duration and results?
Test cricket is unique primarily because of its length. A match can go on for five days and still end in a draw, a feature not seen in most other major sports. For instance, a football match is over in about 90 minutes. This extended duration tests the players' physical endurance, mental concentration, and strategic depth far more than shorter formats of the game.
4. What were some of the first written 'Laws of Cricket' and their importance?
The first written 'Laws of Cricket' were established in 1744. They were important because they standardised the game. These laws specified the height of the stumps (22 inches), the size of the bail (6 inches), the weight of the ball (between 5 and 6 ounces), and established the umpire's authority to settle all disputes. This provided a formal structure that allowed the sport to grow.
5. What was the role of the Parsi community in the history of Indian cricket?
The Parsi community were the pioneers of Indian cricket. They were the first Indian community to adopt the sport and founded the first Indian cricket club, the Oriental Cricket Club, in Bombay in 1848. Initially denied access to the whites-only clubs, their success in matches against the British played a crucial role in popularising cricket among Indians and establishing it as a part of the national identity.
6. How does 'The Story of Cricket' explain the global spread and popularity of cricket in India?
Cricket spread globally through the British Empire, primarily to its colonies. In India, it was introduced by British soldiers and sailors. It gained immense popularity not just as a sport but as a means for the colonised to prove their equality and skill. Beating the English at their own game became a source of great national pride, which cemented cricket's place in the Indian subcontinent, unlike in sovereign nations like Russia or China where it had no colonial roots.
7. What is the key difference between Test cricket and One-Day cricket as explained in their evolution?
The fundamental difference lies in the format and objective. Test cricket is the traditional form, played over five days, focusing on strategy, patience, and wearing down the opposition. In contrast, One-Day cricket was a modern invention to make the game faster and more spectator-friendly. It is completed in a single day with each team facing a limited number of overs, which prioritises aggressive, fast-paced scoring from the start.
8. How did the introduction of technology change the game of cricket for both players and viewers?
Technology revolutionised cricket. For players, advancements led to modern protective equipment like helmets and lightweight pads, making the game safer. For viewers, satellite television broadcast matches to a global audience, turning cricket into a massive commercial spectacle. This media coverage transformed cricket from a regional sport into a professional, revenue-generating career, making players like Sachin Tendulkar household names worldwide.
9. How does the history of cricket reflect the social and political issues of its time?
The history of cricket is a mirror of social and political dynamics. In England, it highlighted class divisions between the wealthy 'amateurs' (called Gentlemen) and the working-class 'professionals' (called Players). In the context of the British Empire, it was a tool of colonialism. The rivalry between the Parsis and the British in India, for example, was not just about sport but was a form of political contest where Indians sought to establish their worth on a level playing field.
