About
Cricket is one of the most popular sports in the UK which is why The Middlesex Championship is dedicated to bringing fans of the sport vital information on how to join clubs and where to find them.
This website is all about the love for cricket and its popularity in the UK. Visit frequently for updated and newly posted articles on clubs and activities in the UK.
About the History of UK cricket
Looking at the history of cricket and how it all got started shows just why cricket is seen as the most traditional sport in the UK with the longest existence than all other sports in the country.
Cricket is seen as one of the most popular sports in England being active since the 16th century. The basic rules of conduct and play were developed by the Marylebone Cricket Club in Lord’s.
During the first world war, there were no first-class matches taking place in the UK until May 1919. In the 21 seasons between World War 1 and World War 2, England took part in 120 test matches with fifteen home and thirteen away series. The Marylebone Cricket Club then organised many first-class tours in the UK in partnership with private individuals including Sir Julien Cahn and Lionel Tennyson.
The Marylebone Cricket Club has been the controlling body in English cricket throughout the 1900s war period and had the responsibility of choosing the management of the England Cricket team. Throughout this period, the Country Championship was dominated by the northern clubs in the UK. Yorkshire was at the top of their game with winning the two-day version of the Country Championship in 1919 and Middlesex providing a win in 1920 and 1921.
After 1919, Middlesex improved dramatically and won many titles in 1920 and 1921 but is seen to only have possessed one of the better teams in the UK by 1935 when they finished third in the Country Championships.
About the Popularity of Cricket in the UK
Behind football, cricket is seen as the 2nd most popular sport in the UK. With the popularity of the sport being mostly throughout the middle- and upper-class population of the country, it is easy to get funding for clubs and players.
The popularity of the sport sees many new players starting each year and joining clubs to be able to take part in their local matches, events, and activities.
Visit Middlesex Championship frequently for updated articles on some of the most important topics around cricket clubs in the UK.