Today, when one thinks of cricket premier leagues, one immediately thinks of the Indian Premier League (IPL), Big Bash League (BBL), and Pakistan Super League (PSL). The sport is now known for these flashy, glamorous, and hugely popular (globally) tournaments; none quite like the IPL (the richest one of all with a valuation of over $11bn).
Well, here is a piece of trivia for you: A cricket league existed as far back as the 19th century — long before the IPL or BBL were even thought of!
The World’s Oldest Cricket Premier League
The Birmingham and District Premier Cricket League is the world’s oldest official cricket premier league, which was established on 14 December 1888. Founded in the UK, this league boasts more than 135 years of cricket history! It is considered as the pillar of the sport.
Even before the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) formally classified elite domestic leagues, the Birmingham and District Premier Cricket League was seen as one of the premier mutual stomping grounds for some of the best UK club cricket.
Legacy Before the ECB Era
The Birmingham League was one of the pre-eminent leagues of English club cricket until relatively recently, the late 1990s. The ECB sanctioned and reorganised premier leagues through its umbrella in 1998, which have now all become ECB Premier Leagues.
Expansion and Structure
From this point a template for contemporary club cricket in England evolved, embodied by the Birmingham and District Premier Cricket League. It was expanded to be four major feeder leagues to create a strong and cutthroat cricketing pool:
- Shropshire Premier Cricket League
- Staffordshire Club Cricket Championship
- Warwickshire Cricket League
- Worcestershire County Cricket League
The lower leagues provide the feeder for Birmingham, ensuring a regular population of players and also the calibre of the game.
A League of Historical Importance
Against a backdrop of modern leagues snaring the headlines and littering social media feeds, the Birmingham and District Premier Cricket League is why cricket never fails to amaze. It paved the way for where T20 leagues sit in the world today — structure, local rivalry and heated competition.
So the next time you tune in to an IPL or BBL fixture, just remember — the first steps were taken well over a hundred years ago on Birmingham fields.
