THE SOUND OF LEATHER ON WILLOW
he earliest references to cricket in the UK come from the 16th century, but by late Victorian times it was hugely popular. Some men were good enough at the game to make a living from playing cricket, and became known as professionals. They were paid by their cricket clubs, by a match patron, or by charging amateurs to compete against them. It is said that the sport reached its peak in the two decades or so before
