England Cricket

Cricket is synonymous with England having first been played in the Isles in the 16th century. By the end of the 18th century it had developed into the national sport.

Unsurprisingly England have had a very good national cricket team since the sport's inception.

In the latter part of the 19th century and the beginning of the 20th century, England were the undisputed force in cricket. Due to it being the national sport they had a larger proportion of players, compared to rival commonwealth countries like India and Australia. England played their maiden overseas test in North America in 1861 but due to the American Civil War starting that same year they turned their attention elsewhere, namely Australia. 

In the years before the Second World War England were at their peak; no other cricketing nation could compare with their might. However, after the war, the test side fell on hard times, Australia emerging as the dominant force while the West Indies were also able to comfortably defeat the English.

By the 1970s Ian Botham had emerged as one of the true cricketing greats and he helped England revive their fortunes, but the 80s and 90s were barren years for the England Test team, who were largely spectators in the Ashes series. By 1999 England were ranked the worst test team in the world. By the mid-2000s there was a new influx of English players who revitalised the nation and transformed them into a top test nation again.

England have had some brilliant players over the years. W.G. Grace is considered by many as the greatest cricketer of all time. Botham was England's greatest ever all-rounder, taking a record 383 wickets and hitting 5,200 runs. With 8,900 runs for England Graham Gooch is the leading run scorer, while current captain Alastair Cook has the record for most international hundreds, with 25. There are endless amounts of quality players who have pulled on their whites for England.

The Ashes is the biggest test for any English or Australian player. The name came about after a mock obituary by the Sporting Times. They suggested that English cricket was dead: "The body will be cremated and the ashes taken to Australia". This came about after Australia won at the Oval in 1882. To date, there have been 68 Ashes series with Australia winning 32, and England 31. 

For all the latest England Cricket Betting Tips place check out betting.betfair