The game of cricket is very popular and is played all around the globe and is termed as The Gentleman’s Game. We have witnessed lots of amazing clashes in the game in different eras. People love to watch and play the game right from its origin.
A game of cricket requires lots of temperament, perseverance, and skills, and It is called as The “Gentleman’s Game”. Today, we will talk about “Why cricket is called The Gentleman’s Game? We will also talk about the different perspectives, meanings, and myths regarding the word Gentleman’s Game.
The game of cricket was originally played in England by aristocrats earlier. These aristocrats were called ‘Gentlemen’. That is where cricket is considered the Gentleman’s Game.
Meaning of the word Gentleman
So what is the meaning of the word Gentleman? The word gentleman means chivalrous, courteous, or honorable man. But it has nothing to do with cricket.
The gentleman in cricket is someone who plays the game fairly, without any violence, sledding, banter, etc. Someone who obeys the laws of cricket and who plays the game with spirit.
It is important to note that the spirit of the game and the laws of the game are two different things. It is not necessary for the players to go against the laws but there are a few examples in cricket which shows that why the spirit of the game is important. Imagine a batter has nicked the ball and the umpire gave him not out. In that case, according to the laws, he can continue to bat on but he decided to walk away (give up his wicket). It is the prime example of the gentleman’s game.
Different perspectives and myths about the word “Gentleman’s Game”
(1) Cricket is called the Gentleman’s Game because the player earlier when the game originated used to dress up like a gentleman.
It is one of the myths related to the word gentleman’s game. The cricket players earlier used to wear a proper dresses, hats, etc and they look classy when they go to the field to play the game. And then people started to call them gentlemen. This is not true as far as the term Gentleman’s Game is concerned.
(2) Cricket was started by the upper class people in England who were called gentlemen-
Earlier in England, cricket was played by upper-class people. The upper-class people were called gentlemen or noblemen. These people started social cricket clubs. They also started the Star and Carter club, which was a gentleman or nobleman’s club. The members of the club wrote the first laws of cricket in the Star and Carter club.
Since then, cricket is called a Gentleman’s Game.
(3) When a player follows all the rules and laws of the game made by The MCC, they are considered a gentleman.
Since then, the game is termed The Gentleman’s Game. The MCC laws are respecting the captain, teammates, opponents, officials, umpires, etc, playing hard and fair, creating a good atmosphere and encouraging others to do the same, showing self-discipline, etc, and many other things.
(4) When the players show the spirit of the game as we discussed earlier with an example of a batter walking back after nicking the ball and the umpire gave him not out.
These are some unwritten codes of ethics that are not in the laws. But the players did that to maintain the fairness of the game.
Some of the examples of the gentleman’s game are-
(1) When MS Dhoni recalled I Bell the latter was unaware of the ball not touching the boundary.
The ball was hit by E Morgan in a test match between India and England. Both batters thought it is a boundary. The fielder collects the ball and then the ball was off, and I Bell was out of the crease.
According to the laws, the umpire gave him out but the Indian captain recalled I Bell, and the umpire’s decision was overturned.
(2) Some of the other examples of the gentleman’s game are when H Amla, the South African batter walked off after nicking the ball and the umpire gave him not out.
The game was played between RCB and KKR in the IPL. A left arm pacer A Choudhary from RCB bowled a ball to H Amla and the latter misses the cut shot and nicked to the keeper.
H Amla walked off despite the umpire gave him not out as he knows he has nicked the ball.
(3) The another example was when B Lee and A Flintoff were involved in the 2005 Ashes game. A Flintoff didn’t join the celebrations but instead crouched down and consoled an opponent bowler B Lee.
(4) When Virat Kohli came in favor of S Smith-
The recent incident in the 2019 World Cup game between India and Australia, when the crowds were booing S Smith for his past incident of Sandpaper Gate. V Kohli came in support of S Smith and appealed to the crowd to appreciate Smith instead of booing him.
To conclude, cricket is still called as the gentleman’s game and will continue to do so in the future. The game has made the reputation of a gentleman’s game over the years due to different reasons and perspectives as we discussed earlier.