History of cricket

 1. **16th Century**: The first references to cricket can be found in historical documents of the 16th century.  It was initially played by children and shepherds.

  2. **South-East England**: The early development of cricket was concentrated in the south-eastern counties of England, particularly Kent and Sussex.

  3. **Noble Pastime**: By the 17th century, cricket had become a popular pastime among the English, and was played in aristocratic circles.

  4. **Hambledon Club**: The Hambledon Club, founded in Hampshire in the 18th century, is often credited with codifying many of the game's rules and promoting its development.

  5. **London Clubs**: Cricket gained further popularity in the 18th century with the formation of clubs like the Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) in London.

  6. **Bats and Balls**: The design of the cricket bat and cricket ball began to take shape during this period.  Early bats resembled hockey sticks, and balls were made of cork and leather.

  7. **First Recorded Match**: The first recorded cricket match took place in 1697 in Sussex, England.

  8. **Development and Standardization**: As cricket grew in popularity, the rules and regulations began to be standardized.  The Laws of Cricket, as established by the MCC, played an important role in this process.

  9. **Spread to other countries**: The British colonialists were instrumental in spreading cricket to other parts of the world including India, West Indies, Australia and South Africa.

  Cricket's early history was informal, and the game gradually evolved into the organized game we know today.  It has since become a global phenomenon, with a fervent following in various formats and many countries.