Overarm bowling in Cricket was invented by a Woman in 1800s

In 17th century and prior, underarm bowling was the only way one could bowl as per the cricketing rules. Anything that is not underarm bowling was treated as illegal bowling. And in those days in England, women were not only interested in watching this game but also started playing the game as well. There were good underarm bowlers those days - men and women together.

One such young woman who had interest in cricket was Christina Willes who was the sister of Kent county player John Willes in England. While playing cricket with her brother in their garden, Christina found that her skirt was getting in the way of bowling underarm. Apparently, skirts were pretty large, huge and voluminous those days. Obviously she didn't like the skirt getting in the way of her bowling style. She then tried to bowl overarm (or may be you can say partly round-arm) to her brother John Willes.

John Willes observed her sister's bowling action. He then started learning this style from her. On July 15, 1822 Kent County was playing against MCC in Lord's. John Willes was playing for Kent Country. He bowled the first ball of his over using a round-arm style. The umpire declared it as no-ball because,as I said earlier, anything that is not underarm was illegal those days.

The moment umpire gave a no-ball, John Willes threw the ball down, got on his horse and left the ground. As a protest, he never played a match since then. But what he left behind was an idea for the cricketing world and for the cricket lawmakers to amend the laws and adopt overarm bowling.

Over the years, roundarm and overarm bowling became the only legal ways of bowling. Underarm bowling is now termed as illegal. John Willes and more importantly his sister Christina Willes remained the unsung heroes.

What woman created centuries ago, (gentle)men embraces it till date. Isn't this a shower-thought?

Now for something more interesting: Want to learn What happens when you hit longest six at World's Highest Cricket Ground ?

What happens when you hit longest six at World's Highest Cricket Ground

Surrounded by Chire Pine and giant deodar trees and located at 7,500 feet above sea-level, this cricket stadium is positioned as the World's highest cricket ground. 

Now, imagine if your favorite cricketer hits the longest six on this ground. Can they get the ball back? I am sure the ball would roll down thousands of feet down the mountain. The ball would go missing for sure. 

What is more interesting about this ground is its history - it was built by Maharaja of Patiala Sir Bhupendra Singh in the year 1893. Before anything, a hilltop was levelled by this royal cricket lover, who also happens to be the founder of State Bank of Patiala in 1917. 

Sir Bhupendra Singh donated this school to the Government of India which is now being used as military school. 

No first-class cricket matches are played here. The ground still needs some more preparation and ofcourse permission from the Chail Military School to conduct cricket matches here. 

Although no great matches have been played here, it is said that many test players still come here for practice sessions. Who doesn't want to be here when Chail itself is known as hiker's paradise. 

But again, what if the ball goes for a six?