Cricket: Its Global Development
The game of cricket originated in Britain and the game has spread all over the world and it has made many commercial opportunities to arise. The sport has drawn a large number of fans from all over the world and this includes the kids, youth and elders. It is believed that cricket was played from way back in the 11th century. The game continued it development and in 1744 the standard rules were composed but the governing body did not exist until in 1787 it became know as the MCC - Marylebone Cricket Club.
The MCC was setup to protect the laws and regulations of the game and it was made the international cricket guardian. Up until now the MCC still remains copyright owners of the laws of Cricket’. The first international game was between Canada and USA in 1844 held in New Jersey. The MCC then encouraged international teams to partake in the international events and this was the very moment when cricket started spreading all over the world. Read more about this at Sportspundit.
The first international teams were 8 and this later on expanded to 15 teams by 1900 with the addition of teams like Glamorgan (1921), and Northamptonshire (1905). The championship was not properly arranged and in 1968 a new format was organized. The championship became a two division and more teams were added totaling 18 but they were suffering from revenue from the crowd which was decreasing and covering of overheads became tense.
Australia and England began to play against other countries internationally and in 1888 South Africa was made a test cricket nation. Other countries then followed and these were New Zealand, India and West Indies. In 1947 Pakistan was officially made a test cricket nation.
No major changes took place until 1970 when South Africa was suspended due to their new government policy known as the apartheid. The ODI- One Day cricket was formed and the first game was playing between England and Australia. The ODI made an attraction world wide and the MCC started to realize revenue flowing in. At present the world cup cricket tournament is held after every four years and it is a One Day international Tournament.
In 1993 the MCC handed over authority to the ICC – International Cricket Council and making the domestic affairs to be handled by ECB – England/Wales Cricket Board. The MCC still holds the copyrights of the Laws of the game.
The ICC is in total control of the world cricket tournaments up until now and other countries have gained test status and these include Zimbabwe, Sri-Lanka, and Bangladesh.
