James Pycroft, in his 1851 book, The Cricket Field, noted how “two rogues” were brawling at Lord’s over matters pertaining to money and cricket. “You had £20 to lose the Kent match, bowling long leg hops and missing catches,” a player says, with the other responding, “And you were paid to lose at Swaffham.” The final word comes from the first chap: “Why did that game with Surrey turn about — three runs to get, and you didn’t make them?”

So the next person who moans about how ‘The Gentleman’s Game’ has reached new levels of perfidy will receive one tight slap from me.

Source: A Guide to Crooked Cricket | Indrajit Hazra

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