Lesser Known Cricket Facts

When you have secured your new sports services for you and your team, see if you knew any of these fascinating cricket facts!

1. Origins of cricket – The first cricketing rules were outlined in 1744.
2. Laws of cricket – The only rule to have remain unchanged is the length of the pitch which is 22 yards.
3. Stumps and Wicket – These terms come from the origins of the game when shepherds would play in front of a tree stump, which is why the term stump exists. The game was also played in front of a wicket gate, hence the term wicket.
4. Wickets – When cricket was first played there were only two wickets with a single bail over them, and this progressed to three wickets with two bails.
5. Overarm bowling – Overarm bowling was initially not allowed in cricket. This was introduced as a legitimate bowling style by a Kent cricketer John Willes whose sister introduced him to overarm bowling which she used to avoid her skirts getting in the way.
6. Hat trick – This term originates from cricket when a bowler was challenged to take three consecutive wickets. He succeeded and the name stuck.
7. Baseball – America’s favourite game was derived from both cricket and rounders. Rounders has been played since Tudor times and potentially pre-dates cricket.
8. Wisden – This is the official cricket magazine and is produced by Bloomsbury. There are annual almanacs produced containing information on the news and wins of the previous year’s international cricket season. The 152^nd issue was released in April this year.