NOW, CRICKET IS HERE IN HUNGARY!! SOME HISTORY OF THE GAME!!

Posted by Paul Madacsi on January 30, 2008, 5:29 pm in announcements

Cricket and its roots! Below follows a short history of its origins. If we want to trace the history of cricket, we may need to go back as far as the mid eleventh century. However, cricket remained the game of children for many centuries. It was only in the beginning of the 17th century that adults started showing their interest in the game of cricket. In the year 1611, a dictionary described cricket as a sport for boys. It also added that adults were starting to participate in the game. The history of cricket tells us that the sheep-grazed land or clearings were used as the playground by the players at that time. A farm tool, such as crook was used as bat and the matted lump of wool served the purpose of ball. A tree stump was used as today's wicket. Some experts of cricket history are of the opinion that cricket is a modified form of older game of bowls. The major difference is that in cricket a batsman tries to stop the ball reaching the wickets by using his bat to hit the ball. As it always happens when we talk about the history of anything, there are different views regarding the history of cricket. Some experts do not accept England as the birthplace of cricket. According to them, Normans brought cricket to England after 1066. They have found the evidence that people from the Punjab region of Asia have been playing bat and ball game since 8th century. Similarly, 8th and 9th century accounts of bat and ball games in the Mediterranean region also confirm these views. Some other references regarding history of cricket include diagrams in the 12th and 13th century manuscripts showing a game similar to cricket. However, this evidence is only circumstantial and it cannot be treated as concrete. Among all the controversial views, the majority believes that England was the place where cricket originated. Cricket started gaining substantial popularity after 1660. It was the time when gamblers also started taking interest in the game. One can imagine the larger quantities of bets made by the gamblers by the fact that "Cavalier" Parliament had to pass a Gambling act restricting the highest limit to 100 Pounds. The famous 11 a side cricket match of 1697 established cricket as a gambling sport. Laws of cricket were first ratified in 1744. Regular score keeping started from the year 1772. The law of LBW came to existence in 1774. Premier cricket club MCC was formed in 1787. Lord's, also known as Mecca of cricket, was also created during the same year. Cricket is much more than this; it’s a game that prides itself on not only producing good cricketers and sportsmen, but also good people with honourable nature and intentions. When Captain Falcon Scott and his team lay dying in their tent on their ill-fated 1912 attempt to be first to the South Pole, it was written in Scott’s diary that to pass the time they discussed batting averages of the English national team. Also Lord Cardigan insisted that his cricket bat be packed in his personal kit before any venture and it has been reported that he played cricket with his officers of the Light Brigade before ordering them to charge the Russian cannons in the Crimea in 1854, this of course has become known as “The Charge of The Light Brigade”. Cricket is now here in Hungary! A small group of cricket lovers gathered in a Budapest pub in March 2007 and by November of the same year and after a very successful first ever cricket season in Hungarian history, they gathered again with over 90 other cricketing players and enthusiasts to celebrate. David Brown, Vice-Chairman of the Hungarian Cricket Association/Magyar Krikett Szövetség comments, “Cricket is probably the most complicated game in the world and in many ways typically British. It’s just fantastic that the game has now been established here in Hungary. I feel the Hungarian people have the needed natural ability to master this game and I am going to do everything in my power to bring the game to them. Cricket is here to stay and the rewards of playing this game are not only the benefit of a fine physical workout, but also the benefit of building a disciplined and mentally strong character. If someone had told me that I would be invited to Lords, UK (home of world cricket) in a year from our very first meeting, to discuss the future of Hungarian Cricket, there is no way I would have believed it.” Cricket is also for families, it’s played in the summer and the family can come and relax and watch in peaceful surroundings. If you would like to know more about the unique game of cricket please feel free to email me and I will be only too happy to explain this complex but fantastically rewarding game! This article has been written by David Brown, President of Dunabogdany Cricket Club, (first senior cricket team in Hungary, email-david@holden-brown.fsnet.co.uk ). David is also the Vice-Chairman of the HCA. (Hungarian Cricket Association/Magyar Krikett Szövetség ). More information about cricket in Hungary can be found on the HCA website, www.hungary4cricket.com. Either contact David or Andy Grieve, Chairman.

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Comments:

Hello David,

Thanks for your article about the history of cricket, it was very interesting to say the least.

I have watches some cricket matches since I am living in Hungary, mostly on TV at some of the local sports bars. I am happy to hear the sport is growing in Hungary and I have some interest since viewing some matches. Since I am somewhat new to the sport I have a lot of questions and I am hoping you might be able to comment on a few for starters.

How many teams are there in Hungary?

How can I find out and better understand the rules of the game?

Where are the games played?

Where can I go to watch the teams practice and when will the practices sessions start.

Can anyone play; is there an age limit or senior players and senior teams?

When will competitive play start?

Thanks for your comments,

Tony

Anthony on February 1, 2008, 3:43 pm

Hello Tony.

1. At present there are 6 teams in Hungary and for this coming season we hope to have 8.
2. Pleae go to this link as all will be explained:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Laws_of_cricket
3. The games at present are played in the village of Dunabogdany and Tunsgram sports ground in ujpest
4. We practice indoor at present at the Xantus Janos High School, Budapest. Contact me for details: david@holden-brown.fsnet.co.uk
5. Anyone can play. In the UK many people over 60 still play.
6. We start friendly matches hopefully in April. The league will begin in June.

Any more questions Tony dont hesitate to contact me. Sorry for the late reply, I have been travelling.

Best regards

David