Cricket through time: Popular recreation Public schools Rational recreation Modern cricket

Popular Recreation Unusual/ different because: - cricket had rules ‘Articles of agreement’ from not violent or cruel. - could be played by upper and lower class, male and female. But popular recreation because: - occasional, often played on feast days or festivals. - mainly played in rural areas. - wagering would take place.

The Bat and Ball Club The Bat and Ball Inn - Hambledon Hampshire: One of the earliest clubs (1750’s). Played on Broadhalfpenny Down. This team dominated cricket for half a century. Large crowds watched and wagered. Some players were professionals employed by the gentry as estate workers, gardeners etc but for their cricket talents.

The Bat and Ball, Hambledon

Monument at Hambledon

The MCC Formerly the White Conduit Club, it became the MCC in Hambledon declined and some of their players were employed as coaches. MCC became the main club and the governing body. The MCC toured the country playing Public Schools.

CRICKET at LORDS

William Clarke XI 1840’s Clarke helped make the game a national success. One of several professional touring sides playing matches around the country. Matches attracted huge crowds with wagering of large sums of money.

Public School Cricket Cricket accepted as a game because it was organised and had set rules. Arnold would have encouraged cricket as it had teamwork, loyalty, role of the captain etc. In the athleticism stage young masters would have been employed as coaches and also played for the team with the boys. The cricket match in Tom Brown’s Schooldays is against the MCC.

Cricket at Rugby School

Exam Questions. Cricket. 1.Tom is the Captain of the Team playing in his last school match. A) Why does he send Arthur into bat at a crucial stage of the game? (2) B) What moral values can you identify from the extract? (2) 2. What aspects of 19th century cricket made it such an attractive activity in Boys Public Schools? (3)

Answers 1. A: Arthur is sent in because he is a steady bat and can stay there while the other player scores runs. Tom feels that it will do Arthur’s confidence good and repay him for all his hard work. B: Tom identifies the needs of Arthur over the need to win.Shows the relationship and mutual respect between pupils and staff. Shows the respect of the other boys for Toms captaincy. 2. Cricket was already an organised game, it had rules and was not violent. Being a team game it was seen as helping the moral development and discipline of the boys. In cricket you can be an individual but contribute to the team effort. It also teaches leadership.

Rational Recreation 1870’s, county cricket took over from touring XI’s. County sides included professionals ( players) but they were kept in there place. Names different on scorecards - esquire for an Gentleman amateur. Separate dressing rooms, entrances and eating arrangements. Captain was always a gentleman, perhaps an ex public schoolboy with leadership qualities. International cricket also at this time.

W. G. GRACE Probably the most famous cricket player of all time and a great attraction. Grace was a doctor and a gentleman amateur yet he was paid for playing.

Modern Cricket First Class county cricket is professional. Minor counties get money from ECB. Clubs are mainly amateur funding themselves. Still more of a middle and upper class game. Village team may include vicar, local landowner, doctor, businessman, farm labourer.