who created cricket

Cricket was not created by a single individual but rather evolved over time, originating as a children's game during the medieval period in the south- eastern counties of England, particularly in areas like Kent, Sussex, and Surrey. The earliest definite reference to cricket dates back to the late 16th century, around 1597-1598, when it was mentioned in a court case in Guildford. It is believed to have been invented during Saxon or Norman times by children living in the Weald, an area of dense woods in southeast England. The game evolved from simple bat-and-ball games played by shepherds and rural communities, gradually becoming popular among adults by the early 17th century. By the 18th century, cricket became more formalized with the establishment of the first Laws of Cricket in 1744 by the Star and Garter Club, which later led to the founding of the Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) in 1787, the custodian of cricket laws ever since. Thus, cricket's creation is best described as an evolutionary process from folk games into the modern sport known today, rather than the invention of a single person or on a specific date.