Since its start centuries ago, cricket has gone a long way. From making a bat and a ball out of wood and rags to worldwide celebrity and hefty wagering, it is swiftly becoming a favorite among the British. England currently competes in One Day Internationals and Test matches. Cricket was first played in England during the 17th century and became popular among the upper class. But it wasn't until the early 20th century that the sport started to grow rapidly. Today, it is one of the most popular sports in England. In 1877, an Englishman named W.G. Grace invented the cricket scorecard. It contained details about each player's performance in a game, which helped fans follow the action more easily. This innovation made it possible for cricket to become a competitive sport. Grace also introduced several other changes to the game including the use of leather balls and gloves. He further popularized the sport by acting as an overseas player for several English counties between 1877 and 1889. In addition, he wrote several books on cricket which have been widely read about the world over. Nowadays, cricket is administered by the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB). They control all aspects of the game including rules changes, equipment development and international competition.