Cricket in south africa

Cricket was introduced in South Africa by the British soldiers and people's interest in the game grew. When cricket reached South Africa, at that time, the rule for underhand bowling without rotating the arm had just started going into a limbo. It is possible that between 1795 and 1802, when the troops of Garrison occupied this sub continent, the game arrived here at that very time. It is also assumed that an army officer, Charles Anguish, used to play cricket here between 1795-97. Since it was the British soldiers and sailors who spread this game in foreign countries, it is possible that the game was brought to South Africa by them towards the end of the 18th century where it struck roots. The mention of the first cricket match played in South Africa is found in the proclamation in which it has been said that on January 1808, a match was played between Artillery Mess and officers of the Colony in which the bet was at 1,000 dollars.
By 1840, Cape Town had developed into a big town. In 1842, in the match between Civilians versus Soldiers, Taylor had scored 110 runs which was the first century scored in South Africa. In the 1840s, cricket had become well established in Cape Town, Port ELIZABETH and Peter Maritzburg. Port Elizabeth cricket club was the first cricket club in South Africa which was setup in 1843. It is among the oldest club in the world. This club was granted land in the Saint George Park to play and it was here that 46 years later, the first Test was played in South Africa.Meanwhile, activities related to the cricket was going on in Cape Town. Cricket had started being played even in Natal. By the beginning of the 1850s, cricket had started being played even at the school and college level.