BRSS#3:The Leather/Willow Interaction
The 3rd cache of the series, a camo-taped preform tube is hidden near a stone stile over one of the long drystone walls dissecting the large grassy fields of Grange Farm.
To get there from #2, simply head east and make a line diagonally across the field heading for the gated gap in the wall with the stile on the right. Shortly after leaving the bridge area, you will need to negotiate the shadiest, dampest part of the track which becomes very muddy after prolonged rain and throughout the winter season.
The best way to get through here is to use the wire fence along the right-hand edge of the track, taking care with foot placement to avoid slip and consequent muddy mishap. Once past here, although the fields may get pretty soggy, it is easy enough to find a way across on drier (often higher) land.
The earliest known definite reference to cricket is to it being played in SE England in the mid-C16. One theory is that the game originated from shepherds hitting a stone with their crooks to defend the sheep fold.
It spread globally with the expansion of the British Empire, with the first international matches in the second half of the C19. See here for an impressive illustrated blog on the history of cricket.
The game's governing body is the International Cricket Council (ICC), which has over 100 members, twelve of which are full members who play Test matches. The game's rules, the Laws of Cricket, are maintained by Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) in London (see painting below). The sport is followed primarily in South Asia, Australia, New Zealand, the UK, Southern Africa and the West Indies.
Women's cricket, which is organised and played separately, has also achieved international standard.
The most successful side playing international cricket is Australia. Their numerous trophies include six World Cups, more than any other country, and it has been the top-rated Test side more than any other country.
Here are some key facts about men's cricket in the UK:
Cricket season: typically begins in April and ends in September.
County cricket: there are 18 First-Class Counties, 17 in England and one in Wales. The counties compete in the County Championship, Royal London One-Day Cup, and Vitality T20 Blast.
National Counties: there are 21 areas that play cricket on a county-wide basis but without first-class status. These areas compete in the National Counties Cricket Championship.
Cricket fans: about 35% of cricket fans in the UK are over 55 years old. The most popular formats are test matches, one day internationals, and T20 internationals.
Cricket bats: are made from English or Kashmir willow. English willow is more expensive and is considered the better choice for professional players. Kashmir willow is cheaper and is better for beginners and junior players. See here for a short documentary on the evolution of the cricket bat.
Some Test records and QI info:
Batting
Most career runs: Sachin Tendulkar (India) 15,921 in 329 innings from 1989-2013
Most test centuries: Sachin Tendulkar (India) 51 in 200 matches/329 innings
Fastest test century: Brendan McCullum (NZ) 54 balls (v Australia @ Christchurch Oval, NZ 2015/16)
Most runs by an opener: Alastair Cook (England) 11,845 (ave = 44.87 in 264 innings)
Highest career batting average: Donald Bradman (Australia) 99.94 in 80 innings (1828-1948)
Most runs in a series: Don Bradman 974 in 7 innings (Australia v England 1930)
Highest individual score: Brian Lara (West Indies v England 2003/4 @ Antigua Recreation Ground) 400*
Most runs in a match: Graham Gooch 456 (333 +123) v India @ Lords 1990
Most runs in an over: Jasprit Bumrah off bowler Stuart Broad 35 (sequence 4–5W–7NB–4–4–4–6–1)
Bowling/Fielding:
Most wickets in a career: Muttiah Muralitharan (Sri Lanka) 800 in 133 matches (ave = 22.72)
Best career bowling average (for >2,000 bowls): 10.75 by George Lohmann (England) from 112 wickets for 1,205 runs conceded.
Most 5 wickets in an innings: Muttiah Muralitharan 67 in 133 matches
Most 10 wickets in a match: Muttiah Muralitharan 22 in 133 matches
Most wickets in a series: Sydney Barnes (England) 49 in 4 tests v South Africa (1913/14)
Best figures in an innings: Jim Laker (England) 10-53 v Australia @ Old Trafford, Manchester 1956 also Best match record 19-90 in the same game
Fastest Bowler: Shoaib Akhtar aka The Rawalpindi Express (India) 161.3 kph v England @ 2003 World Cup @ Kingsmead, Durban (see here for a compilation of fastest bowls)
Most career catches: Rahul Dravid (India) 210 in 164 matches/301 innings
Most wicket-keeping dismissals: Mark Boucher (S.Africa) 555 (532 catches + 23 stumpings) in 147 matches
Best All Rounder (10 wickets + century in a match): Ian Botham 13/109 and 114 runs v India @ Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai 15/2/80
Highest Partnership: 624 for 3rd wicket by Kumar Sangakarra and Mahele Jayawardene in Sri Lanka v S.Africa @ Singhalese Sports Club Cricket Ground, Colombo 2006
See here for even more records!