Question

how was cricket associated with social status in england?

Answer 1

The organisation of cricket in England reflected the nature of English society.

1. The rich/amateurs: The rich men who could afford to play it for pleasure were called amateurs.

The rich were amateurs for two reasons;

1. For them cricket was only a kind of leisure time pass. To play for the pleasure of playing and not for money was an aristocratic value.
2. There was not enough money in the game for the rich to be interested.

2. The poor/professionals: Men who played cricket for a living were called professionals.

1. The wages of professionals were paid by patronage or subscription or gate money.
2. The game was seasonal and did not offer employment the year round.
3. Most professionals worked as miners or in other forms of working class employment in winter, the off-season.