question_answer 4)

Describe one way in which in the 19th century, technology brought about a change in equipment and give one example where no change in equipment took place.  

Answer:

In the 19th century with changing times the game of cricket both changed and also remained true to its origins in rural England.   (i) Change in Equipment In the matter of protective equipment, cricket has been influenced by technological change. The invention of vulcanized rubber led to the introduction of pads in 1848, and protective gloves soon afterwards followed by helmets made of out of metal and synthetic light weight materials .Once the bat was made of a single piece of wood. Now it consists of two pieces, the blade which is made out of the wood of the willow tree and the handle which is made out of cane. (ii) No Change in Equipment Cricket's most important tools are all made of natural, pre-industrial materials. The bat is made of wood as are the stumps and the bails. The ball is made with leather, twine and cork. Even today both bat and ball are handmade, not industrially manufactured.