A childhood game of Saxon and Norman times, cricket was first mentioned as an adult leisure activity in 1611. It is unclear whether cricket was a unique bat and ball game or started as a variation of a croquet game where a batsman tried stopping the ball from reaching its target by hitting it away. Later, “village cricket” became popular as local teams popped up. The first game was recorded in 1709, and the best players were hired as its first professional athletes. Around thirty years later, an official rule set was established (and amended several times), and the sport grew in popularity across London and southeastern counties of England.

Cricket began to take its current iteration with two significant changes to the game: pitching instead of bowling and the shape of the bat. Previously, the ball was “bowled” or rolled on the ground by bowlers. Now the ball was pitched or thrown in the air. However, the “pitcher” would still be considered a bowler. Previously, the bat resembled something closer to a hockey stick because that would hit a ball rolling on the ground better. Still, the straight bat would work better for balls flying through the air. With these new innovations to the game, the English brought cricket to all its major colonies, including America, the West Indies and India, Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa. While still incredibly popular in many countries like India, Australia, and South Africa, it never took off in Canada. This was partly due to its association as an upper-class English sport, which many Canadians did not identify with. In America, it was prevalent, but local bat-and-ball games, like townball and eventually baseball, would overtake it.

Cricket Transforms into Wicket

The life of a soldier during the revolutionary war was strange. It was full of leisure time, an alien concept to many individuals. Working on a farm or some other industry usually left no time for individual pursuits. Their jobs were usually so physically demanding they remained “in shape” just by working. The fact that so many soldiers had “free time” meant they invented things to fill their time doing something that amused them. Military officials, including George Washington, knew these pursuits should improve fitness. Washington not only encouraged games that promoted fitness but would also play them himself. It was noted that Washington would throw and catch with his colleagues for hours while discussing crucial matters. In 1778, he played in a game of Wicket at Valley Forge.

Using the official cricket rules brought to America by Benjamin Franklin in 1754, Wicket was the American version of cricket, with the most significant difference being that the ball was rolled on the ground to much lower wickets. The bat was long and shovel-shaped, with one side smooth and the other curved like a giant spoon. Other rules appeared to be pretty similar, with a bowler who “pitches” the ball trying to strike the wickets, and the batter tries to defend the wickets by blocking and striking the ball. A successful hit meant the batter would try to run to the other base next to the pitcher and then back to their wicket base to score. Unfortunately, it was unclear how many more players could play this game. This could have been a two-person practice game for cricket or a full-fledged team game, but that remains unclear. It was also unclear whether the batter’s objective was to run to the opposite base and back as often as possible or once.

Materials: 

·      A large play area (gym or outside)

·      A bat

o   I prefer a cricket bat to an American baseball bat for this sport. Still, an odd-shaped whiffle ball bat would work the best.

·      A cricket set that includes two wickets

·      A tennis ball or other similar-sized bouncy ball

Minimum Number of Students Needed: To play a version somewhat authentic to the sport, you should have at least eight students (4 v 4). However, an entire class would be the best.

Age: Perfect for upper elementary and middle school