Cricket 1908

6o CRICKET : A WEEKLY RECORD OF THE GAME. A p r il 9, 190 8. LAMB E RT ’S CR I CKETER S ’ GUIDE. William Lambert, one of the best all­ round cricketers the world has seen, was born at Burstow, in Surrey, in or about *779» ar,d was buried at his native place in April, 1851, at the age of 72. Old Wil­ liam Clarke once said :—“ Lord F. Beau- clerck and Beldham were very good bats, but Lambert was the best batsman I ever saw, and Pilch comes next.” Beldham also testified to his ability, saying that he would hit—he was a tremendous hitter— what no one else could meddle with. During his career he made four hundreds at Lord’s at a time when such scores were rare, including two, in 1817 — 107 not out and 157—for Sussex (with Mr. G. Osbaldestone and Lam­ bert) v. Epsom, who had Mr. Budd and Howard to bowl for them. He was the first cricketer to make two separate hundreds in a match. His bowling was rather slow, with a high underhand delivery and a twist from leg. Clarke said it was Lambert “ from whom I learnt more than any man alive.” He was also a fine field and wicket­ keeper, and was invincible at single-wicket; in 1810 he made a great sensation by- playing single-handed suc­ cessfully against Lord Frederick Beauclerck and Howard. He did not appear at Lord’s after 1818, as it was said that he “ sold ” a match between England and Nottinghamshire by not playing his best, but he continued to play in small country matches until past sixty years of age. His book on the game ran through twenty editions, the first appearing in 1816, but dates are not given on title- pages. The work—modelled so closely upon Boxall’s, pub­ lished a few years earlier, as to make it rank as one of the most flagrant of piracies— is of interest only on account of its antiquity, for it lacks real merit. Copies, not often met with, are valued by Mr. Taylor at from 30s. to 35s. each. Lambert, Mr. 11aygarth tells us, followed the occupation of a miller, but he was also in the fuller’s earth trade, having several men in his employ. The dedication is in these terms :— “ To the H o n o u r a b le M em bers of the M a ry l e B o n e C lu b . “ My Lords and Gentlemen,—It is with great diffidence that I venture to appear before you and the public in the novel character of an author, on the subject of the noble game of Cricket: but having from considerable experience in various parts of the kingdom, found the want of a familiar introduction to this manly exer­ cise, similar to those which are to be found on almost every other A rt; I have ven­ tured, with the assistance of the publisher, to arrange and commit to the press the directions contained in the following pages. if this attempt should have the effect of assisting the progress of young beginners, or of correcting in older players any improper habits which may have been formed, I shall consider my pains and attention as amply rewarded. I am, my Lords and Gentlemen, your very obedient Servant, W. L a m b e rt.” Then come the Contents and the Intro­ duction. The latter is as follows :— “ It is somewhat strange, when so many other Games, comparatively of little interest or value, as means of exercise or as conducive” to health, have been syste­ matically arranged, and presented with every advantage to the attention of the Public, that no one has attempted to write, in a similar manner, on the subject of Cricket, especially when we consider the high estimation in which this manly and noble Game has been held, by the Nobility, Gentry, and others, in several Counties of Great Britain. “ Aware of this deficiency with respect to the Game of Cricket, the Publisher and Author have been induced to draw up some directions relative to the various parts of this game, which are submitted to the attention of those who wish to become better acquainted with this interesting and manly exercise. “ The object of this work is to reduce Cricket Playing to- a system, with as little variation as possible. It is intended as a help to young beginners, and also as a guide to older players who have accus­ tomed themselves to habits inconsistent with good playing. “ Cricket is a well known game, parti­ cularly in the Counties of Sussex, Kent, Hants, Surry, and Middlesex, and is also extending into other parts of England. “ Many v^ry respectable Clubs of Players have been established in various Counties, amongst which the Mary-le- Bone Club in London must be ranked in the highest Class; it consists of a great number of Noblemen and Gentlemen of the first respectability. From this Club the Laws, and any particular alterations or corrections proceed, which are in a great measure a guide to Cricket Players in general. “ For the information of young begin­ ners it is proper to state, that the number of Players in a regular Game consists of Twenty-two, viz. Eleven on each side. This is to be understood of a regular or full Game, though merely for the purpose of exercise or practice, a less number may answer the purpose. “ At the end of the work will be found the Laws of the Game, corrected.” Without further prelude, the author commences his instructions :— “ CHOICE OF GROUND. “ We direct the attention of young beginners to the choice of a smooth piece of Ground, as being in every respect best adapted. If a small spot or field be chosen, place the Wickets as near the centre as convenient. The Stumps to be placed ac­ cording to the laws laid down. See the Laws of the Game. “ UMPIRES. “ The Umpires should be chosen, one on each side, (who should be unconnected with either party and disin­ terested in the Game), and to whom all disputes must be referred, and their de­ cision acted upon ; hence it is obvious that such Umpires ought to be men of integ­ rity, and well acquainted with the Game. The Um­ pires are to place themselves, one at each W icket; and it may be observed that the Umpire at the Striker’s Wicket should stand rather behind the Wicket, so as not to be in the way of the Players.* “ The Umpire at the Bowler’s Wicket should stand exactly behind the Wicket, to see that the Striker does not stop the Ball with his leg, for if the Ball is pitched in a straight line with the Wicket, and the Striker stops the Ball with his leg and does not hit it with his Bat, the Bowler, WTicket-keeper, or any other Player, may demand of the Umpire whether the Striker is out or not. “ PITCHING THE WICKETS. “ It is usual when a Match is to be played, for the party going from home to have the liberty of pitching the Wickets, which they will do to the best advantage to themselves, and the satisfaction of their own Bowlers, &c. ; but if only one Match *This would appear to suggest that Dickens did not write at random when, in the account in Pickwick Papers of the match between DingleyDell and All Muggleton, he o b s e r v e d “ The umpires were stationed behind the wicket.” —Ed. Cricket. W ILLIAM LAMBERT.