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There are plenty of safety issues to be aware of when playing in a cricket match. Despite not being a contact sport, there are injury hazards. The potential harm of players can be minimised by following standard safety procedures.

Cricket is an outdoor activity and usually played during the warmer months of the year. Being active while out in the summer heat could cause both players and spectators to be dehydrated. Drinking water at regular intervals should stop dehydration. It is also a good idea to wear sun lotion and a hat to give added protection.

Injuries

A cricket ball can cause damage if it impacts parts of the body. The hands and faces of bowlers are particularly vulnerable. Fielders are more likely to get hurt after falling. The majority of these injuries are to the upper body. Sprains, bruises, fractures and lacerations may occur.

Safety Gear

Specialist safety gear has been developed over the years, specifically for the protection of cricketers. Padding is worn on the arms, legs and body. Cricket helmets are usually mandatory for wicket-keepers, batters and close fielders. They include face guards which can prevent severe trauma.

Custom-fitted mouthguards are commonly used. Players can wear shoes which are specifically designed for the sport. People who struggle to wear heavy gear should get advice from a doctor or physiotherapist about whether bracing will help.

Preparation

Cricket involves executing strenuous and fast activities. Muscle problems can be lessened by performing warm-up stretches before a game. Once the game finishes a cool-down stretch is also worth doing.

It is also essential that the playing environment is safe. Any tripping hazards should be removed. A good pitch will have a smooth, dry and flat surface. If the weather causes the area to become waterlogged, then games may have to be called off.

The exact origins of cricket are not completely known. It has been around for centuries. Only recently has it evolved into the popular sport it is today. In modern times people all over the world currently enjoy placing bets on it. However, originally it would have been almost unrecognisable.

Historians believe that cricket was created by either the Normans or Saxons. It was originally a children’s game, played in woodlands and clearings throughout Sussex and Kent. The first known reference to it dates back to the late 16th century.

The Importance Of Cricket Gambling

During the time of Restoration, cricket gained a mass popularity. This was due to the abundance of betting at the time. In 1664 the Gambling Act came into effect. This new law meant that stakes were limited to £100.

Despite this seemingly low amount it was considered a fortune by 17th century standards. People were attracted by the prospect of winning such a high amount. Cricket became a significant sport to gamble on. Interestingly, new gambling laws continue to be passed, aimed at reducing sports betting. However, for centuries people have enjoyed placing wagers on cricket. This is likely to carry on in the future.

As a Children’s Game

Over many generations the game now known as cricket was played primarily by children. By the 17th century adults had taken it up as a recreational sport. Back then it shared similarities with bowls. The main difference between the two games was that in cricket the ball could be hit by bat.

The sport would have been played on land grazed by sheep. There is even some evidence that the balls were stones wrapped in sheep’s wool. Sticks or crooks could have been used as bats. Wickets may have been made from tree stumps or wooden gates.

Cricket is an integral part of British culture. For this reason, the sport is commonly seen in movies and television shows.

Monty Python’s Flying Circus

This sketch show is one of the most revered pieces of UK comedy. There are many episodes which focus on cricket as a theme. An excellent example of this is the “drunk commentators” sketch. It depicts three inebriated sports pundits who are surrounded by empty drink bottles. They attempt to explain a cricket game through slurred words.

Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy

Beloved humorist Douglas Adams wrote Hitchhiker’s Guide, a science fiction story. It was later developed into a popular TV show. At one point in the narrative, the famous cricket Ashes trophy is stolen by a group of killer robots. It is revealed that the Ashes are an essential spiritual item for extraterrestrials.

Fawlty Towers

Fawlty Towers follows an always suffering hotel manager who is often bombarded with mishaps. In several episodes the guests of the hotel discuss cricket. One of the characters, Major Gowen, seems always to be looking for a newspaper to check the latest scores. Due to the imperfect nature of the establishment, he rarely seems to find one.

The Young Ones

The Young Ones was an anarchic sitcom about a group of students who share a dingy flat. In the very last episode, they have finished their exams and start to get bored. The quartet decides to play cricket inside the house. The character called Rick is forced to be the stumps.

Doctor Who

Doctor Who is now one of the longest-running British shows of all time. The main character is the Doctor, an alien who travels through time and space. Several different actors have played him over the years. His fifth incarnation wears a cricket outfit. He is also shown playing with a cricket ball while floating in outer space.

On the surface cricket and baseball seem very similar. The basic rules involve players hitting a ball with a bat while the opposing team attempts to prevent them from scoring points. However, the two sports are also very different in numerous ways.

Bowling

In cricket, the bowler tries to hit a wicket. These are three wooden sticks. Meanwhile, baseball bowlers attempt to throw the ball into a strike zone. The distances between the bowler (the pitcher) and the batter are almost precisely the same for each sport.

Game Forms

There are three primary forms of cricket. Test matches take place over five days. There are also One Day Internationals and Twenty Twenty matches which last for 20 overs (one over equals six balls). In baseball, a game is divided into innings. A hybrid of the two has recently been invented. This relatively new sport called stoolball originated in the United Kingdom.

Pitches

A cricket pitch has an oval shape, whereas baseball grounds are diamond-shaped. The aim of both sports is to score runs around the pitch. When a batter hits the ball in cricket, they can run to the opposite end, switching sides with a secondary batter. In baseball, opposing players attempt to move around the field across different bases.

Betting

There is a prosperous gambling industry for both sports. However, people will be more likely to find a bookie who takes baseball wagers in America. Conversely, Britain focuses more on cricket betting. Luckily, there are numerous online sites which offer bets for both.

Equipment

The balls used in cricket and baseball look the same, but the former has harder and heavier ones. Baseball fielders wear very distinctive looking gloves designed to catch balls. Cricket fielders do not use any gloves. However, wicket keepers do. Finally, cricket bats have a broader and flatter appearance. Baseball ones are rounder and narrower.

Sports gamblers are undoubtedly more likely to bet on a famous cricket player or team. These athletes will have excelled to the point where they are recognised as international stars. Over the years several cricket players have become particularly well-known not just with gamblers but also the sporting world in general. These cricketers are now retired and can no longer be bet on:

Brian Lara

Lara has been referred to as “The Prince of Port of Spain” and was considered one of the best batters ever. He held a number of cricketing records. His impressive history meant bookies usually gave him excellent odds. The downside to this is gamblers would not get a particularly high payout. Despite this, bets on him were likely to win, especially when playing against lesser teams.

Brett Lee

Lee was the second-fastest cricket bowler in the world, after Shoaib Akhtar. In the past, he played in fielder positions. His batting history was also reasonably impressive, with an average of over 20 during Test cricket. This made him a decent overall player to place a bet on. Wagers had a better chance when he was put in a bowling position.

Muttiah Muralitharan

This famous Sri Lankan player was known for his wrist spinning and off-spinner technique. During ODI and Test cricket he took the highest number of wickets. In four consecutive games, he managed to take 10. His record-breaking play history made him an ideal bowler to place a bet on.

Wasim Akram

Akram, AKA the “King of Swing” is a very respected and famous bowler. Hailing from Pakistan, he was the first ODI cricketer to hit the coveted 500 wicket benchmark. This occurred during 2003’s World Cup hosted by South Africa. In 2002 he was named the greatest ODI bowler in cricketing history. This should be enough to give him significantly good odds on betting sites.

Cricket is an ideal sport to place a bet on. Some people like to gamble on smaller matches. However, the majority of wagers are made during big cricket events. This is when there is a lot of hype and media attention for the sport.

Ashes Series

This famous English and Australian rivalry involves the national teams competing for a trophy containing the ashes of a cricket ball. Common bets include which team will win and by how many points. The trophy has moved back and forth between England and Australia for decades. The tournament usually lasts five Tests. Over the years England has won 32 and Australia has won 33. Six have so far ended in a draw.

T20 World Cup

Also known as Twenty20, this cricketing event emerged in 2003. It features a shortened version of the traditional game, which lasts approximately 3 hours. Each inning takes 90 minutes to complete. This fast paced nature has made T20 popular with both the sporting and gambling communities. The West Indies have dominated T20 and tend to have the best betting odds.

ICC Cricket World Cup

This international championship takes place every 4 years. It is one of the most watched cricket events in the world. During the games there is a spike in online sports betting activity. Every ICC team is eligible to play, giving gamblers an abundance of countries to bet on. The best performing teams qualify automatically. Others have to qualify through the World Cricket League.

Border-Gavaskar Trophy

India and Australia compete against each other in this Test series. The name comes from Allan Border and Sunil Gavaskar who are revered for their high Test scores. It began in 1996 and since then has started to gain the attention of sports bookies. Several gambling sites offer wagers for the event.