What we knows of cricket and PSL growth.

Byline: Nazir Ahmed Shaikh

It is normally believed that cricket was invented during Saxon times in the Weald, south-east England. The first reference to cricket being played as an adult sport was in 1611. Village cricket was developed in 17th century the first known game in which the teams use county names is in 1709. In 1744, the first Laws of Cricket were written and subsequently amended in 1774, when innovations such as lbw, a 3rd stump, the middle stump and a maximum bat width were added. The famous Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) was established in 1787 at Lord's. It became the custodian of the Laws and has made revisions ever since then to the current day. The hockey-stick style of bat was replaced by straight bat in 1787. Cricket arrived in Australia in 1788 and the reached New Zealand and South Africa in the early years of the 19th century. It was introduced to North America via the English colonies as early as the 17th century. It was introduced to the West Indies by colonists and to India by British East India Company mariners.

In 1864 overarm bowling was legalized, 1864 also marked a notable first with the publication of the first Wisden Cricketers' Almanac which continues to this day. That same year, W. G. Grace began his long and influential career, contributing much to increase cricket's popularity. In 1877, an England touring team in Australia played two matches against full Australian XIs that are now regarded as the first Test matches. The following year, the Australians toured England for the first time and the success of this tour ensured a popular demand for similar ventures in future. At The Oval in 1882, the Australian victory in a tense finish gave rise to The Ashes. South Africa subsequently became the third Test nation in 1889.

In 1890, the official County Championship was constituted in England. The Currie Cup started in South Africa in 1889-90 and the Sheffield Shield in Australia three years later.

The Golden Age of Cricket

The period from 1890 to the outbreak of the First World War has become known as the Golden Age of Cricket as it featured numerous great names such as Grace, Wilfred Rhodes, C. B. Fry, Ranjitsinhji and Victor Trumper.

When the Imperial Cricket Conference (as the ICC was originally called) was founded in 1909, only England, Australia and South Africa were members. However, the West Indies (1928), New Zealand (1930) and India (1932) became Test nations before the Second World War and Pakistan...