Cricket

the national ball game of England. The term is probably related to "crooked," in reference to the shape of the crooked hockey-like bats with which the game was formerly played. The regular match game is played by two elevens. At one time a game of the village green and of the school, cricket has become as professional as baseball in this country. Games are played by clubs in circuits, with immense crowds in attendance. As compared with baseball the game is played with two wickets instead of four bases. The pitcher is called a bowler. The bowler aims to knock down the wicket behind the batsman. A run is made from a wicket to the bowler's crease in front of the other wicket. Thomas Hughes' Tom Brown at Rugby gives a stirring picture of a cricket match. American boys consider the game a trifle tame in comparison with baseball. See Baseball