Flannels on the Sward

Cricket - America's national game? It would have been! By 1859 cricket was being played in at least 22 states, in over 125 cities and towns, and the numbers of clubs were estimated to be around 1000, per Wilke's Spirit of the Times. An American topped the English bowling averages; cricket clearly was America's game. What happened then, to turn the tide in baseball's favor? America's cricketing capital Philadelphia, hosted teams from Australia, Canada, England, Ireland and the West Indies. While early cricket evolved significantly in England, 'Wicket' its' precursor, continued to be played with the original technique for more than 300 years in Connecticut. Wherever the English went cricket followed, we find this in the early history of Argentina, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Costa Rica, Mexico, Peru and Uruguay! The book showcases never-before seen pictures including art works and selected team scores depicting American cricket's glorious but unsung history.