Final answer:
The primary means for spreading English language and culture, including cricket, was through missionary work.
Step-by-step explanation:
The primary means for spreading English language and culture, including cricket, was a) Missionary work.
Missionaries from European countries, particularly the Roman Catholic and Protestant clergy, were sent to the colonies to convert the local people to Christianity and teach them the language of the colonizers. They also established schools and churches to assimilate the native population into the culture of the conquering nation. Through their efforts, sports like cricket were introduced to colonies in Africa and Asia, aiming to teach western values like fair play, teamwork, and competitiveness. The spread of English language and culture through missionary work played a significant role in the colonization and cultural diffusion during that time period.