22 Short Questions and Answers on History of Cricket

1. What did cricket in colonial India represent?

During British colonial rule cricket came to represent all that the Victorian English valued-fair play, discipline and gentlemanliness.

2. How was the game linked to the politics of colonialism and nationalism?

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Cricket got linked to the politics of colonialism and nationalism because the colonial masters regarded Indians as an uncivilised race, incapable of playing the game in its true spirit.

3. Cricket grew out of which game? In which part of England was the game invented?

Cricket as a modern game grew out of many stick and ball games played in England during the 14th and 15th century.

The game was invented/developed in South Eastern England.

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4. Why are sports an integral part of contemporary life?

Sports are an integral part of contemporary life because they help (i) amuse ourselves, (ii) enable us to compete in a healthy way, stay fit and (iii) express our social loyalties.

5. Which was the first White Indian Cricket Club? When was it established?

The first White Indian Cricket Club was the Calcutta Club. It was established in 1792.

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6. Give the name and the date of establishment of the first Indian Cricket Club.

Oriental Cricket Club of Bombay was the first Indian Cricket Club. It was established in 1848.

7. Which community and club set the precedent for other Indians to start clubs on the basis of religion?

The origins of Indian Cricket can be traced to Bombay.

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The Parsi Community and the Parsi Gymkhana Club set the precedent for other Indians to start clubs on the basis of religion.

8. When, where and between whom was the first One Day International played?

The first One Day International was played in 1971, in Melbourne between England and Australia.

9. Name the techniques pioneered by Pakistan in cricket.

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The techniques pioneered by Pakistan in cricket are related to bowling. These techniques are ‘doosra’ and ‘reverse swing’.

10. When and where was the world’s first two cricket clubs founded?

(i) The world’s first cricket club was formed in Hambledon in the 1760s.

(ii) The other was Marylebone Cricket Club. It was founded in 1787. This club soon became the guardian of cricket’s regulations.

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11. Why were the earliest cricket bats of the same shape as hockey sticks?

The earliest cricket bats had the same shape as hockey sticks because:

(i) It grew out of many stick and ball games played in England during the 14th and 15th century.

(ii) The cricket bats curved outwards at the bottom like hockey sticks because the ball was bowled underarm, along the ground. The curves at the end of the bat enabled the batsman to make contact.

12. How were the professionals paid?

(i) The professionals were paid by patronage or gate money.

(ii) As the game was seasonal, during the off season i.e., winters most professionals worked as miners or in other working class employment.

13. Trace the origins of Test Cricket.

(i) Test cricket was initially organised as a competition between different parts of the British Empire and not sovereign nations.

(ii) The first test was played between England and Australia when Australia was still a British colony.

14. Give two changes which transformed cricket.

Changes which transformed cricket were:

(i) Replacement of tie amateur by the professional. (ii) Introduction and success of one day game. (iii) Changes in global commerce and technology.

15. Give one significant feature of the Marylebone Cricket Club.

The Marylebone Cricket Club established in 1787 was the guardian of cricket regulations.

16. Give one example where no change of equipment took place.

Despite technological developments the cricket bat is still made of wood; and the ball with leather, twine and cork, all natural pre-industrial materials.

17. Who started the World Series Cricket?

World Series Cricket was started by Kerry Packer. He signed up 51 of the world’s leading cricketers to play in Test matches and One-day internationals.

18. Why did the British encourage team sports?

The British encouraged team sports because they regarded it as the best way to teach English boys discipline, skills and leadership qualities needed to build the British Empire.

19. On what basis was the first cricket clubs set up in India?

The first cricket clubs were set up on the basis of religion. Example: In 1890’s Hindus and Muslims tried to establish a Hindu and Muslim Gymkhana respectively.

20. What is the significance of the date 1780 in the history of cricket?

The first six seam cricket ball was created.

21. Which year was Test cricket started?

1877.

22. When was 100 years of test cricket celebrated?

1977.