England, the birthplace of cricket, has seen its popularity spread throughout the world as other smaller countries have picked up the sport and heightened the excitement surrounding it. Though the T20 format has made six-hitting look easy, Test cricket is still regarded as the finest version of the game. However, a 234-year-old cricket club has prohibited six hitting in response to local complaints.
Kids playing street cricket in India have traditionally followed the rule, which was developed by the Southwick and Shoreham Cricket Club in West Sussex, to prevent batters from hitting past the compound wall. The neighbours of the 1790-founded club called it out because the cricket balls had broken windows, automobiles, and sheds. According to the new club rule, the first six are void, and the next one is out.
Mary Gill, an 80-year-old local, was reported by The Telegraph as saying, “It’s a very small ground and can’t accommodate the testosterone-fueled young men who come along and just want to hit the ball as far as they can.”
“Part of the thrill of the game is hitting the bowler for a six. How is it banned? It’s absurd. A player at the club commented, “To take that away removes the joy of it.”
Another athlete said, “These days, it’s all about health and safety, and insurance companies are charging a fortune to indemnify sports clubs against accidental damage or injury to bystanders.”
Trees in England’s County grounds help hitters score runs
Despite the challenges that players of the condensed space sport have as they grow up in the suburbs of a nation such as India, cricket is nevertheless practiced. The supporters had no idea that England felt the same way.
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In Canterbury’s St Lawrence Ground, there was a tree in the middle of the field. If the ball struck the tree, the team and the batter would score four runs. In another instance, when the ball touched either of the two trees inside Lancing Manor’s grounds, the hitter was awarded two runs.