The Original Laws Of Cricket

the long version

"Cricket may be the only game in which the earliest rules survive uniquely on the perimeter of a napkin! Eighteenth-century noblemen who gambled considerable sums on the outcome of matches were keen to ensure fair play, so they codified the earliest 'laws' of cricket in this way in 1744. This book looks at the fascinating and entertaining story of the origins and evolution of these laws and how they affected the game, from the earliest times to the present day. It reprints in full the first two laws of the game from 1744 and 1755 as well as bringing to light surprising parallels with ongoing controversies - such as ball-tampering and match-fixing." --Book Jacket.