Wikipedia article of the day for October 6, 2026

The Wikipedia article of the day for October 6, 2026 is History of cricket to 1725.
The early history of cricket began with a children's game in southeast England, possibly traced to Flemish immigrants to that area. The earliest definite reference to cricket is dated 17 January 1597 (Old Style) in a deposition in a legal case regarding the usage of a parcel of land. Around that time, it evolved into an adults' game, and there are many references to it in the 17th century. The earliest-known "big match" was played in Sussex in 1697, when the sport was already acquiring wealthy and influential patrons such as Charles Lennox, 2nd Duke of Richmond (pictured). They hired the first professional players, and matches were played for high stakes to satisfy gambling interests. During the first quarter of the 18th century, cricket became the foremost sport in England's southeastern counties. By 1725, it was increasingly widespread and became the country's national summer sport. Meanwhile, overseas trade had taken it to both India and North America.