Cricket is THE British sport par excellence. After football, cricket is the second most popular sport in the world. This article aims to give you the basics of this game - little known here - and perhaps the desire to attend a match in London and discover the atmosphere.
Brief history of cricket
Cricket was first and foremost a story of social class. Until the XNUMXth century, this sport was practiced by the popular classes and despised by the rich. It was only from the middle of the XNUMXth century that the aristocracy took an interest in it to be in contact with the local population and thus increase its influence.
Around 1820, cricket came in two versions: a cricket for the upper middle class and a cricket for the lower middle class.
The first is practiced by high society who play within their own property or in clubs where representatives of the working class are excluded.
The second, petty bourgeoisie cricket introduces professionalism.
In 1787, the very aristocratic Marylebone Cricket Club was created in London, which gave cricket its first formal laws.
This sport has conquered the former British colonies: India, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, New Zealand, the English West Indies, South Africa and Australia.
A little vocabulary
In order to better understand the rules of this game, here are some useful terms to know:
• The drummer (batsman in English): the one who beats the ball
• The launcher (bowler in English): the one who throws the ball to the batsman
• A hunter (fielder in English): the one who is on the ground to pick up the ball as quickly as possible and bring it back to the thrower.
• The pitch: shooting zone
• A run: a point
• A inning: a sleeve. There are two ends in a game.
• The ashes: series of test-matches played on average every two years by England and Australia.
• A counter: (wicket in English) is one of two sets of wooden stakes located on the field and defended by the beaters.
What are the rules of the game of cricket?
Cricket pits two teams of 11 players against each other alternately on an oval field in the middle of which a rectangular strip of ground (the livery) connects two wickets in front of which the pitchers and the beaters are placed.
At the start of the match, the teams toss and the winning team chooses to “batter” or “throw”.
The beating team scores points, called a run. The object of the game is to score as many runs as possible: the team that wins the most runs wins the match.
Except that, as you just read, each team plays one after the other. So for the team that beats first, the object of the game is to score as many runs as possible; for the team that beats in second position, its objective is to score the same number of runs as its opponent +1!
The non-beating team throws and catches.
To score a run, the batter must throw the ball as far as possible in order to have time to run to touch the line of the opposite wicket before the ball returns (about 20m). Each time he touches this line, a run will be scored for his side. So the further the ball is, the more he can go back and forth and score points because each round trip is equivalent to a run.
In addition, if the ball is not caught by the collector but remains in the field, 4 runs are automatically marked: it is a boundary.
If this ball is even more powerful and it comes straight out of the field without touching it (in the stands so to speak), 6 runs are scored by the batter's team. This is the most beautiful point a drummer can make.
Where and when to see a cricket match in London?
London has two cricket grounds, namely the Lord’s et The Oval. The first located next to Regent's Park is the best known because it is considered the “temple of cricket”.
The second, located in the Kennington district, hosts the games of the Surrey team (South London County), as well as the last test match of the season on English soil.
Both host national and international matches during the season which runs from April to September.
How much does a seat cost to attend a cricket match?
The price varies depending on the tournament and the match played in the competition. Generally speaking, the price for a seat for an adult ranges from £ 20 to £ 150.
Children under 16 can benefit from a preferential rate of £ 5 or £ 10 or even free for certain matches.
Reductions are also possible for people over 65. Remember to keep an identity document during your stay 😉
How to get tickets for a
cricket ?
It is possible to buy tickets directly at the stadium without guarantee of availability and to obtain the desired seat.
To better anticipate and be sure to have places for national and international tournaments, it is preferable to book your places directly on the internet.
Good plan to attend a cricket match for free !!!!!!
Are you new to this sport but want to discover it at a lower cost? I have THE right plan !!! Every year during the summer, matches played by schools or local teams take place at Lord's. Entry to these matches is free for all!
No cricket match during your stay? Visit the Lord's !!
Without being able to attend a cricket match, it is possible to visit the grounds and behind the scenes of the famous Lord's. Note that this activity is included if you have the London Pass !!
This guided tour - only in English - and lasting 1h30 will allow you to discover:
- The history of Lord's and cricket
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The Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) museum
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The JP Morgan Press Center, a futuristic building built in 1999 where more than 150 journalists meet to comment on the matches.
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Locker rooms
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The pavilion and the Long Room
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The tiny “Ashes urn” which is a trophy.
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A collection of swimsuits
How much does the Lord's visit cost?
Adult: £ 18 Child: £ 12
What are the days and hours of the Lord's?
The stadium can be visited when there is no match.
Where is the Lord's?
Metro
bus
