Stories of Men who Shaped the Game

The book provides a rich historical account of the evolution of cricket from the fourteenth century till recent times. In the course of its discussion, Richard H Thomas has depicted how the game has reflected the dynamics of English society. Moreover, the book has manifested the transformations of cricket at several historical epochs. It becomes evident from the chapters of the book which have focused on several important decades before the First World War, during the inter-war period, and in the post-Second World War scenario. The role of social variables in the unfolding of cricket has been chalked out in considerable detail. Before England undertook the task of codifying the laws of the game and perceiving it as an integral part of their civilizing mission, cricket was played in the rural areas of France and Netherlands.