Cricket 1886

JAN. 28, 1888 CRICKET: A WEEKLY RECORD OF THE GAME, 15 like the lash of a whip, with the arms easy, when the *Striker will scarcely perceive the Ball going from the Bat. The Striker should be careful and attentive in running both his own and partner’s hits, and when his partner is about to strike, it is advisable to stand before the popping-crease, toward the wicket; but he must not start to run before the ball is out of the bowler’s hand, for in that case he is giving the Bowler the chance of putting down his wicket, and he will be out , the ball being then in play, though not delivered. When the Ball is delivered, the Striker may follow it, but should be careful not to run too far, that in case no runs are to be obtained, he may return in time without endangering his wicket. Many things may occur at the Striker’s wicket which he cannot see, particularly by fast bowling, viz. the ball may hit the edge of the bat, the leg or hand of the wicket-keeper, or the Longstop may miss it, <fcc., all which his partner must attentively observe and act on, as the Striker cannot see it so quick as he can. Always run the first time quick, which may enable yon to get a -second run easy, taking care not to overrun your ground till you observe where the ball is. One Batsman should judge for the other as it sometimes happens that one can run to the most dangerous wicket, where the ball is near, when it would npt be safe for the one at that wicket to start, but yon had better lose a run, than risk a wicket. In R unning betw een the W ickets Keep the bat on the outside of your partner, taking care not to run against him, for in so doing you may lose a run, and probably a wicket. If one striker be left handed, and the other right, they should agree on which side they will pass each'other in running. CHAPTER III. THE FIELDSMEN. The Eleven at Play are distinguished by different names, and as we have before men­ tioned them only in a general way, we now propose to describe the situations and duties of each more particularly. With respect to the B ow ler , Who occupies the most important post, he has already been treated of in the preceding chapter, the next in turn therefore is the W icket K e eper , Who is in general the most proper person to see that the different Fieldsmen are in their laces, and any directions given by him should e done by the motion of the hand, without calling out any names, as this puts the striker on his guard, and in windy weather it would be difficult for them to hear. Indeed, the avoiding of noise and confusion at this game, contributes much to the enjoyment of both players and spectators. The Wicket-keeper should pay particular attention to the game, and if the Striker should move off his ground, with an intention to run, he must then do his best endeavour to put down the Wicket, which is called stumping out ; and if the ball is thrown to him when the Strikers Are running, he must place himself In the most convenient situation for taking the ball and putting down the wicket with the utmost dexterity he is master of. As the event of a Match depends much on the Bowlers, the Wicket-keeper should toss the ball home to them, or so far as to come with a fair bound into their hands, that they mav not reach or stoop after it, as bowling Wi k? <lu^e sufficient for them, without abouring after the ball unnecessarily. F irst S hort S l ip . The first Short Slip is next to the Wicket­ keeper, and should stand so as to reach within about two feet of him. This situation being so near the wicket, the ball will go from the bat to him generally very swift, giving him very little sight of it and render it necessary for him to be con­ tinually on the alert. He must likewise exert himself by getting behind the Wicket-keeper when the ball is thrown in, which is called backing up ; and if the Wicket-keeper should go from the wicket after the ball the first Short Slip should take his place, until his re­ turn; but no players should take the ball before the Wicket-keeper, provided it is coming straight to him. A S econd S hort S l ip , sometimes necessary . It has sometimes been found advantageous to have four men placed near the wicket, when the ground is hard, particularly in slow or middle-paced bowling. When this is the case, the Fieldsman that can be best spared is placed between the first Slip and Point. T he P oint . The person who stands at the Point should place himself in a line with the popping-crease, about seven yards from the Striker, and by observing where the ball will pitch, as it comes from the Bowler, endeavour to judge whether the Striker is about to hit hard; in that case he will do well to draw back a few steps, to obtain a clearer sight of the ball. If it should be a well pitched ball, it is probable the Striker will not attempt to hit hard, he should then step forward a little. In backing up he should take care to give the man at the slip sufficient room. M iddle W icket off . This man should stand on the off side, not far from the Bowler’s wicket; and about 23 yards from the Striker’s wicket; he must be active, and observe at the moment of hitting where the ball will come. As this situation is important, it should be kept well, and in throwing the Ball to the Wicket-keeper, he must observe not to do it harder than is ne­ cessary, and at about the height of the top of the wickets. If the Bowler should find it necessary to leave his place to run after the Ball, the Mid­ dle Wicket Man should take until his return. L eg or H ip . The person who takes this place should stand a little back from the straight line of the popping-crease, and if it should be thought advisable for him to stand to save a run, it should be within about sixteen yards of the Wicket. L ong S top . This man should stand at a proper distance behind the wicket, to save a run, if the ball should not be stopped by the striker or wicket­ keeper. The person who is placed in this situation, should be one who is not afraid of the ball, when bowled swift, and who can throw in well, as it is not only to the balls which pass the wicket-keeper, but to sucli as are just tipped with the edge of the bat, both off and on, that he will have to attend. He must also be atten­ tive in backing up. T he L ong S lip to cover the S hort S l ip . This man must stand to save a run, about the same distance from the wicket as the Long Stop, in a line with the striker, between the Point and the Short Slip. A ball being hit to the Short Slip, after grounding generally twists towards the Long Slip. When four men are placed near the wicket, this man should stand the same distance, playing be­ tween the Point and Second Slip. To C over the P oint and M iddle W ick et . This man’s place is on the off side, to cover the point and middle wicket men; if the ball should be hit to either of these and missed, then he will be in readiness to receive it. L ong F ield off side . This man should stand on the off side, be­ tween the middle wicket man and bowler at a considerable distance in the field, so as to cover them. In throwing the ball to the wicket­ keeper, he must endeavour to throw it home to his hands. It is desirable to appoint a person in this situation, who can throw well and judiciously. It sometimes happens that the ball is struck to so great a distance, or in such manner, that a second man is necessary to throw it to the wicket-keeper, by receiving the ball from the first by a catch; this may be done quicker than by one long throw, unless the second man should miss the ball. L ong F ield on side . This man’s place is at some distance wide of the bowler’s wicket, so as to prevent a second run. If the striker should hit mostly on the near side, then the man who covers the point and middle wicket man, should come over and cover the middle wicket on this side, and the middle wicket man, off side, will then stand wider from the bowler, to assist in filling his place, and will play between the Long Field and the Point, at a distance, to save a run. I n C atching or S topping a B a ll , Step well to do it, and receive it into the hand with ease, rather yielding to the force, and keeping the eye steadily fixed on it; at the moment of catching, the fingers must be extended to receive the ball, and shut the in­ stant it is caught. It is likewise necessary in stopping the ball, to get before it, so as to meet it full, and when it is coming with a bound to wait or step in, as the case may require; if it be close to the ground, and moving with con­ siderable velocity, a proportionate expedition must be used in putting down the hands. B radford C lub .— The annual meeting of the members of this Club was held on Friday last, under the presidency of Major Shepherd. The Hon. Sec., in reading the annual report, drew attention to the want of success attend­ ing the first eleven. It was difficult and almost impossible to assign any reason for the unsatisfactory state of affairs. It seemed as if the healthy ambition amongst local football players to figure in the Bradford Cup had no counterpart in the cricketing world. This was very disheartening to the committee. The financial position of the Club was very satis­ factory'. Extreme disappointment was ex­ pressed that only two county matches—York­ shire v. Middlesex and Yorkshire v. Yorkshire Gentlemen—had been arranged to be played at Bradford. Efforts were made to secure a North v. South match, but the application was ignored. Negotiations were now pending for a fixture with the Australians. The Upping­ ham Rovers would not visit Bradford next season, having decided not to journey so far north. Amos Marshall with C. Jowett and Mr. Mortimer had been engaged as pro­ fessionals for the season. Mr. J. W. Bottomley took the prize for the best batting average with 24.9 for twelve innings. No amateur had qualified for the bowling prizes. Mr. W. F. Frost headed the second eleven batting average with 40.1 for nine innings. The result of last season’s first team matches was—one won, four lost, thirteen drawn. Second eleven—won seven, drew nine, lost one. Present number of cricket members was 574. The balance- sheet showed that the total income for the year was £3,178 14s. 7£d., including £1,744 5s. handed over by the football club. The report and accounts were passed, and the usual vote of thanks accorded the retiring officers. Major Shepherd drew attention to the unfair treat­ ment which Bradford had received at the hands of the Yorkshire committee in the selection of the venues for the county fixtures Nest Issue February 25-