It is an irony that the origin of cricket took place in England in 1598 and only 278 years after that,the first Test in cricketing history was played in Australia. The beginning of playing Test matches began in England only after that. It was the fifteenth Test in the cricketing history.
Cricket is the national sport of England. It is because of the weather,situation,circumstances and environment that the real pleasure of playing cricket is obtained only in England. Performance in England has also been regarded as the criterion for judging the excellence of a player. It is because of this that the Wisden,regarded as the Bible of cricket,takes into consideration only the performance in England as the basis of selection.
It has been the view of some notable cricket historians that the game originated from 'club ball'. James Poicroft believes that in the thirteenth century, cricket 'club ball' referred to a game which requires both a club and a ball. But it is the view of all that instead of getting embroiled in the controversy over its origin,we should accept that the game developed in England in a natural fashion. Some people believe that the game began in Hampshire's Hembedna region. But it appears more conclusive to regard that its origin took place in Kent and Sussex.
The shape of bat and ball also kept changing and evolving with time. Only some years back,Dr Swear found among the old papers at Richmond a score sheet that is the oldest score sheet found so far. According to it, that match was played on 2 June 1744 between Slindon and London.
