Impact of Cricket in Commonwealth Countries
When you look at the top cricket teams in the world, they all seem to have something in common. As of right now, England, India, Australia, South Africa, West Indies, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Zimbabwe, Ireland, and Afghanistan are the most successful teams in the International Cricket Council. These countries are all connected historically, specifically to Great Britain, and were either British commonwealth countries, colonized states, internationally controlled, or in England’s case, the controller themselves.
Why is cricket so popular in these countries specifically, and how does this connect to Great Britain? The answer goes back to Great Britain’s long history of colonization. Beginning in the 15th century and officially ending in the late 20th century, at its prime, the British Empire was known as the “empire on which the sun never sets” because of the vast amount of the world the empire had gained control of. These territories included the previously mentioned cricket teams.
Cricket’s first recorded reference has been traced back to the 16th century in southeast England, and most likely began as a children’s game. Cricket then began to spread to the Indian subcontinent through merchants from the East India Company, and the West Indies and Australia through colonization and immigration. Countries such as New Zealand and South Africa followed in later years. Although Canada and the United States faced British influence and colonization as well, the popularity of cricket in these countries saw a decline in the 19th and 20th centuries with the invention of baseball. Cricket spreading to these territories was followed with a big growth in popularity in these regions.
Cricket matches between international teams began in the 19th century, with the Imperial Cricket Conference being created in 1909. The organization’s founding members were England, Australia, and South Africa. The purpose of the conference was to manage international cricket between countries, but they were also hesitant to let non-commonwealth countries join. So while countries like West Indies, New Zealand, and India were admitted as full members, countries like Singapore and Spain were considered associate members, a practice that continues today. Ultimately, a country’s membership is based on the discretion of the International Cricket Council, which is why mainly the British commonwealth and formerly British-controlled countries are admitted.
The history of international cricket shows the exclusivity of the sport in world history, reflecting the superiority of the British Empire during the era of colonization. Cricket serves as a connection between formerly colonized and controlled countries, showing the influence of Great Britain and the extensiveness of the British Empire. British culture has affected the world in more ways than we may think. Ultimately, the popularity of cricket proves how sports can travel beyond a country, and how international sports can be a form of cultural, political, and social exchange.
