Rotarian John Horscroft gave this week's Three Minute Talk on the subject of Cricket.
Cricket began to be popular in London and SE England around 1726 – but actually goes much further back.
A legal case in Guildford, Surrey refers to ‘cricket’ in the court report dated 17 January 1597.
International matches started 1844, and Test Cricket in 1877 – perhaps rather earlier than you might have guessed.
The first recorded game in Australia was in Sydney in December 1803, and surprisingly the first club was formed in South Australia in 1839.
The first ever Australian cricket touring party sailed to England in 1868, the side consisted of 13 Aborigines.
The first recorded Test Match - England v Australia - took place in March 1877, at what would become the MCG - Australia won by 45 runs. The same margin as in the Centenary Test 100 years later.
I played cricket of course at school, both primary and secondary, and always enjoyed it, though I was never very good, and continued to play with friends until about 1968. I was fielding in a match, bent down to pick up the ball which was approaching fast along the ground. I stopped it, but could not then straighten my back to stand up. End of playing cricket. I have had back troubles on and off since then.
I saw my first Test Match, not at the Oval in Surrey, which was close to where I lived, but at the MCG in February 1958, when my ship was visiting Australia. Di is also a cricket fan, and since we have been married we have watched Test Matches in every state in Australia, except, as yet, in Sydney. Most frequently of course, at the MCG for the Boxing Day Tests.
Soon after we migrated here in 2000 my name was added to the waiting list for MCC membership, and year by year we have watched the slow climb towards the top of the list. In July this year, I was at last offered provisional membership, and after much discussion with Di – considering the various factors: our ages, the fact that walking is difficult for me, even with a stick; and that parking near the ground is almost impossible, especially for popular matches – and provisional membership doesn’t guarantee entry on those days - I decided with regret to turn the offer down.
We still enjoy the game on TV (although some commentating leaves a great deal to be desired), and particularly enjoy Sheffield Shield matches at either the MCG (in the crowd of about 150), or better at the Junction Oval, with perhaps 300 spectators in a much nicer, country-like ground.
20/20 games may be enjoyable for many, but they are not PROPER cricket, which requires strategy as well as tactics. Big Bash is a much more appropriate name for these games.
Cricket is a game for gentlemen and ladies – the old expression ‘it’s not cricket’ to describe poor behaviour including Booing is very apposite. It is appropriate to applaud good play by not only your team, but also the opposition. A good delivery, stroke or catch is worthy of notice, whoever plays it.
Finally, I conclude by saying that Di and I had supported England against all-comers for more than 60 years, and when we came to live here in 2000, we decided to support Australia in all Games – except cricket, when we still support England!
