Although records of earlier forms of cricket date back to the 16th century in southeast England, when bats were likely made out of Ash, it wasn’t until the 18th century that it really gained in popularity, spreading across different regions of England with wealthy patrons and landowners forming teams and organizing matches.
The Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) at The Lord’s Cricket Ground was formed in 1787 and is the current custodian of all the laws of the sport. By the mid-18th century, the game became England’s national sport with inter-county matches being held, further cementing cricket’s place in British culture with the first-ever international cricket match being played between USA & Canada in 1844 at the St. George's Cricket Club in New York.
By the 19th century, cricket bat willow (salix alba ‘ceraulea’ or s. x caerulea), a naturally occurring variant of the native parent species, the white willow (which had been present in England for centuries), was selectively bred and cultivated from the white willow (salix alba) because of its superior characteristics for making cricket bats; including being fast growing, flexible, lightweight yet durable and impact resistant. This involved selecting trees with the best traits and propagating them through cuttings. With this new natural product producing such high performance bats and the expansion of the British Empire, cricket’s popularity began to spread internationally, becoming widely played in countries like India, Australia, the West Indies, South Africa and New Zealand.

Between Tasmania and Victoria, in Australia, the first first-class Test was played in 1850, with the former winning by three wickets. The first "Ashes" matchup, between teams representing England and Australia, took place in 1882. The term 'Ashes' was used after England lost to Australia, for the first time, on home soil. A day later, the Sporting Times carried a mock obituary of English cricket which concluded that: "The body will be cremated and the ashes taken to Australia".
With over 200 years of history, cricket is one of the most historically significant sports of all time. However, as we know, change is inevitable. Cricket has had to evolve over the years to become more organized and attract an increasing number of viewers. To facilitate this, the ICC (initially known as the Imperial Cricket Council and now the International Cricket Council) was established in 1909 to oversee all aspects of the game.
The inaugural ODI World Cup was launched by the ICC in 1975, featuring eight teams, including Australia, England, India, New Zealand, Pakistan, and the West Indies. South Africa was excluded due to its apartheid policies. The West Indies emerged victorious, defeating Australia by 17 runs in the final held at Lord's.
In the 1983 World Cup, the underdog Indian team defeated the mighty West Indies to be hailed as champions, and that day, the burst of popularity of the game began in India.
This tournament marked the birth of the sport as a global modern game!
Only 10% of the history of the sport belongs to its most lucrative era. The first T20 game was played in 2003, completely changing how cricket will be played in the future. The shortest and fastest format is T20, which at first drew criticism from purists. However, it provides viewers with unmatched entertainment, and tournaments like the IPL, BBL, and PSL have helped to popularize T20 and win over millions of followers across the world.
Fast forward to today and with the popularity of T20 cricket, Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games expected to include cricket, and new exciting markets opening up and gaining traction around the world, the groundwork for the sport's future is well and truly set.
Some of the new international cricket markets gaining traction:
U.S - The establishment of Major League Cricket (MLC) in 2023 has significantly boosted interest in cricket in the U.S. The league has attracted international stars and has garnered attention from both the South Asian diaspora and a growing number of local fans.
The International Cricket Council (ICC) has been actively promoting cricket in the U.S aiming to tap into its vast sports market. The U.S is set to co-host the 2024 ICC T20 world cup with the West Indies, further driving interest and investment in the sport.
Germany - in Germany they have seen an increase in cricket participation, especially among immigrant communities from South Asia. The German Cricket Foundation has been working to promote the sport at grassroots level.
Japan - interest has been steadily rising, partly due to efforts by the Japan Cricket Association (JCA) to introduce the sport in schools and communities. The intro of cricket in the 2022 Asian Games also helped raise awareness and youth programs.
Brazil - Cricket has been gaining popularity in Brazil, particularly among women. The Brazilian women’s cricket team has been making strides, which has sparked interest in the sport across the country. The story of Brazil’s women’s cricket team, many of whom come from underprivileged backgrounds, has captured media attention and inspired new fans.
Nepal - Cricket has been rapidly growing in Nepal, with the national team enjoying strong support. The sport’s popularity has been further boosted by the rise of players like Sandeep Lamichhane, who have gained international recognition. Domestic Leagues. The success of domestic leagues like the Everest Premier League (EPL) has also contributed to the sport’s increasing popularity.
Papua New Guinea - cricket has been growing in popularity after the national team known as the Barramundis qualified for the ICC T20 World cup in 2021. The ICC has supported cricket development programs in PNG
Afghanistan - increase following the success of their national team in international competitions. The sport is seen as a unifying force in the country. Cricket has become deeply embedded in Afghan culture with many young people taking up the sport despite the countries challenges.
Scotland - Cricket is gaining traction in Scotland, especially after some notable performances in international competitions. Increased visibility through the participation in global tournaments like the ICC T20 Worlds Cup has helped drive interest. Grassroots initiatives and better media coverage are contributing to the sport’s growth in the country.

The modern era of cricket has seen the emergence of some of the sport's most legendary players, such as Sachin Tendulkar, Brian Lara, Ricky Ponting, and Jacques Kallis. These athletes not only set records but also inspired millions of fans around the globe. Tendulkar, affectionately known as the "Little Master," is celebrated for his unmatched batting skills, while Lara is famed for his graceful yet explosive style.
In the T20 era, players like Virat Kohli, AB de Villiers, and Chris Gayle have become household names, dazzling audiences with their thrilling performances and sportsmanship. The legends of cricket continue to influence the game, leaving legacies that future generations will cherish.
Cricket has won the hearts of people all over the world, from England, where it first appeared in the 16th century, to down under in Australia-New Zealand region. In the subcontinent (India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Bangladesh), cricket is the life of people, actively played by all members of society, with everyone treating it as a separate religion. The game has adapted remarkably well to the dynamics of sporting history, producing ODIs and T20s to maintain a rising fan base and creating franchises that draw attention from around the world.

Thanks to England’s temperate climate, well-suited soils and long history and expertise in selecting and breeding the best trees, has meant that English cricket bat willow remains the benchmark for quality and is the most highly sought after for professional cricketers around the world.
We are proud of our heritage and the many exciting financial and environmental opportunities this continues to bring for British landowners growing cricket bat willow.
If you have mature cricket bat willow trees or are interested in planting cricket bat willow on your land, do not hesitate to get in contact.
01865 238 945
Comments