Good God, man! Is nothing safe from Brussels?
New academic research claims cricket is not English, but was imported by immigrants from northern Belgium.
A poem thought to have been written in 1533 has been uncovered, which suggests the game originates from Flanders.
In the work attributed to John Skelton, Flemish weavers are labelled "kings of crekettes", according to Paul Campbell of the Australian National University.
...
Mr Campbell has uncovered an apparent reference to cricket in the 16th Century work, The Image of Ipocrisie, attributed to the English poet John Skelton, which refers to Flemish weavers who settled in southern and eastern England.
They are described as "kings of crekettes"; "wickettes" are mentioned too.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/7919429.stm O lodre of Ipocrites,
Nowe shut vpp your wickettes,
And clappe to your clickettes!
A! Farewell, kings of crekettes!"Australian National University"? Is this just a sophisticated form of sledging, ahead of trhe Ashes test in the summer?