What Christianity can teach cricket

From England-

England's victory in the current Ashes series has captured the imagination of the country this summer. Many of us have been glued to our televisions and radios, or just as likely our computers and mobiles to follow the latest twists and turns of the Test matches.

There have, of course, been controversial episodes in the series and some behaviour which has departed from the high standards of a game that prides itself on a tradition of gentlemanly conduct.

This flared up during the First Test Match at Trent Bridge in July when Stuart Broad edged the ball to first slip and did "not walk." Some think this is further evidence that cricket has left behind its ethical roots, partly derived from Christianity.

As cricket developed in the 19th century, many Christians saw the emergence of the game, with its intricate rules and gentlemanly spirit, as a way of inculcating a moral code. Indeed, one-third of all Oxbridge cricket blues between 1860 and 1900 later trained for the clergy. Christians who played the game in this formative era included J.C. Ryle (1816-1900), the very first Anglican Bishop of Liverpool), the Rev. Edward Lyttleton (1855-1942) and C.T. Studd (1860-1931). Later on, batsmen to make their mark in the first half of the twentieth century included Canon Frank Gillingham (1875-1953), Canon J H Parsons (1890-1981) and the Rev E T Killick (1907-1953).
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http://www.baptisttimes.co.uk/index.php/comment-opinion/1017-what-christianity-can-teach-cricket#sthash.Mw09XMjs.dpuf