Cricket
The origin of Cricket seems to have been in Saxon or Norman times in a place known as 'the weald', an area of south-east England. Children undoubtedly claimed the "game" for centuries until the game was seemingly 'taken over, by adults at the beginning of the 17th century. Theory also has it that it originated from ancient bat and ball games played on the Indian subcontinent that were transported to Europe and near East by merchants. In the 17th Century, Cricket was introduced to North America via the English colonies. By the 18th Century, it had arrived in other parts of the globe. Significantly, it was presented to the West Indies by colonists and to India by mariners of The British East India Company in the first half of the 18th Century. It then circulated into Australia, New Zealand and South Africa. Who can deny the fabulous sound of leather on willow on a beautiful Sunday afternoon in an idyllic village setting is not a perfect way to spend an hour or two? A gentleman's game it may be, but it is a sport requiring technical skill and physical ability. Essentially the game has three components. These are: BATTING; BOWLING AND FIELDING. This does not include the specialist position of wicket keeper. The Art of Batting Batting does not require masses of strength or endurance as many sports do. It does however demand an array of qualities including: Courage.(Have you ever tried standing in line of a cricket ball doing 100 kilometres an hour?) A range of batting strokes to deal with many types of bowling, pitch conditions and field positions. Great hand/eye co-ordination. Strong trunk and shoulder muscles are necessary but it is more a question of practice practice practice to develop the batting skills needed. It looks easy until you try. The Art of Bowling Bowling on the other hand as well as obviously requiring technical ability is a much more demanding activity physically. This is especially so if you are a fast bowler. Fast bowlers use a fast and often lengthy run up to add speed to their bowling before unleashing the ball with furious and demanding trunk and arm action. This activity has a marked effect on the spine and shoulders and injuries in these two areas are not uncommon. The Art of Fielding Fielding requires great concentration as you can be out in the field for hours and only be involved with the ball occasionally. See a great fielder in action though and you see a trained athlete who can sprint, dive, bend, catch, twist and throw the ball with great accuracy and distance. Cricketers as in many other sports today are trained to a much higher physical condition than they were. It is a game that in general terms requires: Flexibility Controlled Strength Speed Courage Concentration. Some players excel at one part of the game whilst others are known as all rounders being skillfull with both bat and ball.
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