Lack of detailed data in English historical records have led to two theories as to why the English decided to colonise Australia.
One is that it was to establish a military base as a check to French expansionism in the Pacific and the other is that it was a dumping ground for convicts.
Well, neither is right, and the lack of records is because the Lords of the Admiralty could only give the real reason verbally to Cook. "Look, James old boy, get yourself down into that southern ocean, where its summer in our winter, and find somewhere to lay out decent cricket pitch so we've got somewhere to send our team in our off season. Take Joseph Banks with you to get some soil samples so we can come up with a wicket that has got a green top, on the first few days, so the fast bowlers can make merry, cracking up on the last couple of days to assist the spinners. And do it before those blasted Frogs get down there and turn everything into a vineyard."
Cook carried out his orders and discovered the cricket Mecca of the world. Then they had to ship down oodles of convicts ( well noted bonkers ) to breed like buggery to build up an "audience" for the English team to perform before.
So there you have it, our nation was created for the love of cricket!

Howzat.

John Gray / FME