Cricket 1891

ss T o g e th e r jo in ed in cr ick e t’ s m a n ly •to il.”— Byron . N o. 2 6 3 . VO L . X . Registered for Transmission Abroad. THURSDAY, APRIL 16, 1891. PR ICK 2d. ] C R IC K E T . By W . G. G bace . U nder any circumstances a work on cricket bearing the familiar name of Grace would be sure of a hearty welcome from all who take interest in our national game. If for no other reason than that it expressed the opinions of the most brilliant exponent the cricket world has ever seen, of one who has for more than a quarter of a century shown himself to be without a rival, who has proved himself to be a consummate master of the art in every branch, Mr. W . G. Grace’ s latest literary effort would command the at­ tention of the thousands to whose enjoyment he has ministered during several generations °r. .cric^©ters. Practical experience and ability, conspicuous even if it be, do not always, however, carry with them the capacity for transmission, or an aptitude for felicitous expression. It does not follow that a player of exceptional gifts has the power to convey his thoughts and ideas in a lucid, much less an attractive style. The difficulty has, however, been solved by the greatest of. all cricketers, with the most gratifying results. To readers of this paper some parts of W .G .’s book will be familiar, as we were able, with the author’s permission, to give frequent ex­ tracts during its publication in serial form, fn, *ts. collective shape, though, “ The ^nampion’s ” most recent, and at the same time, most ambitious literary effort presents a much more imposing, as well as attractive appearance. Admirably illustrated as it is, with copious sketches bringing frequently before us the most famous players of the past and the present, or explanatory of the various phases through which the game has passed, the outcome is an interesting epitome of cricket lore. It is in fact a volume without a dull page in it, and one which cannot fail o be universally accepted as the text book of h r ^?me* The work itself has certainly not elietf the _ anticipatory notices which at erent times during the winter ap- *m5r la *n - paper. Cricketers young na old will alike derive enjoyment as well as instruction from its perusal. Though in \ • ctor” kas had special advantages .beipg actively associated with all ® fadin g Payers, professionals as well as in r J®1Bince he made his first appearance riftf n i0n twenty-seven years ago, he does dn •con^ n^himself with a review of the game “ is °wn career. On the contrary he u- . m.ences his survey as far back as the pre- RA °n,G Period, tracing it down through the * 1 stages of its evolution. The early ypes of cricket are presented more forcibly e ai^ °f the accompanying engravings taken from pictures in possession of the Mary­ lebone Club. Nor does Mr. Grace forget that there were brave men before Agamemnon. On the contrary one of the most pleasing features of the book is the generous and hearty spirit in which he recognises not only the pluck and endurance, but the ability of the giants of the past, of players like Fuller Pilch, Alfred Mynn, Lillywhite and other grand old men who upheld the game under much less favour­ able circumstances than fall to the lot of the modern race of cricketers. The most inter­ esting chapters of the work are naturally those in which Mr. Grace gives his own actual experience. His relation of the development of his own cricket is particularly interesting, as much for the insight it gives us of his own early training and surroundings as for its manly tone and the becoming modesty in which he tells the tale of his progress in the art of cricket. Chapter III., dealing with his family home and early cricket days, is charming. It brings out in bold relief the influences out of which grew the enthusiasm which has tended as much as anything to make him unapproachable as a player. It was to the example and constant tuition of his father and his uncle, Mr. Alfred Pocock, that he owed much of his ultimate success. In the care of two such enthusiasts, it will readily be understood that no pains were spared to inculcate a proper and correct style, particularly where the pupil was such a ready learner. The description of his early practice is especially interesting. The rule for these family practice games was fifteen minutes to each of the senior members, five minutes to the juniors, or more if time allowed. W . G. himself had plenty of fielding. VE.M. kept us busy in that way,” he says, “ and as Mr. Cave’s wood and the quarry were in the direction of long on, it suited his pull from the off beautifully, and he took a special delight in hitting the ball there.” Nor was the field restricted to the higher animals. “ From first to last we had,” says W .G., “ three dogs, whose services were invaluable —Don, Ponto, and Noble. Noble was amost in­ telligent retriever, and would go into the water for the ball without hesitation. Ponto took his position at the side of the bowler, and watched the flight of the ball with as much care as the bstsman; and when it was hit over the trees would listen carefully until he heard it crash among the branches and then make straight to the spot where it fell. His instinct was remarkable, and with a little training we got him to do wonders. A ball bowled to the off he expected to be hit on that side, and he did not take kindly to E.M .’s pulling. They had plenty of pluck, too : for they would present their chest to the ball, no matter how hard it was h it; and time after time I have seen them catch it on the bound with their mouth.” No one who has had the privilege of an acquaintance with the Grace family but will bear testimony to the accuracy of the following description of the influence of the home circle on their cricket from first to last. “ When we took to first-class cricket, play and practice suffered to some extent in the orchard at Downend : but we kept the wicket in good condition until the home was broken up, and always used it a month or two before the season began. We kept in constant touch with the home-circle right through the season, either wiring the result of every first-class match, or posting the scoring-card at the end of every day’ s play. That much they expected, and I think we rarely disappointed them.” At one time there was hardly a match of any importance in which the brothers took part at which their mother was not present. She was herself a most reliable epitome of cricket information, particularly of the doings of “ the boys,” and one of the most pleasant recollections of a long and active connection with the game to the writer is the many happy hours spent in Mrs. Grace’s company. Obviously one of the most important features of a book by such a Master as Mr. W. G. Grace must be in the instructions he gives, as to the best means to attain proficiency as an all-round cricketer. It will be eminently consoling,too, to many youngsters who do not find themselves mak­ ing rapid progress, to learn that Mr. Grace had himself to devote himself assiduously to practice before he was able to attain even ordinary proficiency. “ Ishould like to be able to say that I had no difficulty in learning, and that proficiency came to me much easier than it comes to other boys. The reverse is the truth. I had to work as hard at learning cricket as I ever worked at my profession, or anything else. Very quickly I learned that there was no royal road there, and that if I wanted to be a good cricketer I must persevere. I was for­ tunate in having a good tutor, and a strong gift of perseverance; that is as much as I can say to students of the game.” Insistence is naturally placed on the im ­ portance of practising in earnest, as well as the advisability of getting the first lesson from an experienced player. A youngster, too, “ should'seek every opportunity to witness the great players of the day, and watch their style attentively, so that he may have both example and precept.” Another essential for boys is always “ to play with a bat suited to your strength and height. Everybody longs for a full sized bat and thinks it a reproach to practice with anything else. I can assure you,” W.G. adds,“ that you are going the wrong way to acquire a correct style if your wish be gratified, and may get into faulty habits that will stick to you all your life.” A mistake of