Cricket 1908

A p r il 9, 19 0 8 . CRICKKT : A WEEKLY RECORD OF THE GAME. is to be played, the Umpires pilch the Wickets. In a Game, for practice or amusement, the Bowlers should consult each other respecting where the Wickets should be placed, if the Ground be rough where the Ball should be pitched, it will render it more difficult for the Striker, the Bowlers therefore should use their best en­ deavours, to place the Wickets on (he most smooth and level place the nature of the Ground will admit ; but the Umpires must see that they are fair Wickets. “ THE ELEVEN AT PLAY. “ The Eleven are to be placed out ac­ cording to the Plate, though perhaps no exact rule or measured distance from each other can be adopted, as the Bowler or Wicket-keeper will probably see it necessary to alter a little the position of the men standing out, according as the different players vary in striking, but it would be adviseable to use the general mode of placing the men in the Field, ac­ cording to the plan laid down in the Plate, varying them a little according as the nature of the Game may require, always otser/ing as much as possible, to place each person in a situation wherein he is best calculated to do his duty, and which he has been most used to, and also to be particularly careful to prevent confusion. “ BO IVLING. “ The Ground should be measured exactly Twenty-two yards between the Wickets, which is the proper and only dis­ tance that should be used, as Bowling the right length is more to be depended on if not altogether straight, than Bowling at an improper length, tho’ straight. It is best to practise with a Ball of full size and weight, observing the length the Ball should be pitched, as well as the distance of running before you deliver it, using yourself to one particular distance of running and atti­ tude, before delivering the Ball. A small variation in the distance will materially injure your mode of bowling ; therefore, as the best and surest wav of keeping your distance, after you have once obtained it, you would do well to make some small mark on the Ground, as a guide to your­ self where to start from, and deliver the Ball with one foot over, or in the Bowling- crease, and the other behind it, at which side of the Wicket you find most conve­ nient, and which you have the liberty of varying as often as you please. “ Bowling is an important part of the Game, and requires great steadiness and composure. Bad bowling is often the cause of losing a Game which otherwise might be easily avoided ; therefore the bes; Bowlers should be selected, as some in­ different players are too apt to put them­ selves forward as Bowlers when it is well known that there are others in the Eleven much more proper for :hat place, who are rot so assuming and forward. It is best to fill the place of a Bowler at the dis­ cretion of the Eleven, as it will be to the advantage of all to select the best quali­ fied, in whom they can place confidence, without partiality. “ A Bowler should always consider tho slate of the Ground on which he is goinc to bowl, as very fast bowling on hard, rough Ground, is difficult to the Striker. But vvhere the Ground is in proper con­ dition, the following rules may be ob­ served, viz. in slow bowling, the Ball should be delivered so as to ground about yards before the W’icket ; middling 4 1 _ yards; and fast bowling, 5! yards; but the Bowler must use his own judgment in making variations according to the mode of the Striker, and such variations often prove very advantageous. “ It is customary with some Bowlers, the better to ascertain the place of pitch­ ing the Ball to its proper length, and that they may continue it, to observe some mark on the ground for their guidance, which is very necessary to a young beginner ; and at practice, it may be well to place a feather where the Ball should drop. “ W’hen the ball is directed to the off Stump it will frequently if hit, cause a catch, on the off side ; and if directed to the legs of the Striker, or near Stump, it is frequently hit to the hip*, when runs may be expected, if not caught or stopped. “ If the Bowler should not deliver the Ball to the most advantageous place to op­ pose the Striker, the person at the W7icket should, by a secret sign, known by the Bowler and himself, go and place his foot occasionally on the spot on which he think;- the Bowler may be successful, either to oppose the Striker, or to cause a catch to be given ; but this must be acted upon with judgment. “ A Bowler should not be too systematic and formal in his mode, viz., not to keep on bowling, continually at the same pace but vary, faster or slower, according to (he mode of the Striker. If it should be found necessary to change the position cT the players, by placing them further in the Field, or nearer the Wicket, as circum­ stances may require, and the Bowler makes any signs to the others in the vie!d, he should do it in such a manner as rot to be perceived bv the Striker, if pos­ sible, as it will then be the more likely to produce the desired effect. Any one plan of bowling, continued for a length of time, will be hit to advantage by some players, and no certain rule to avoid it can possibly be laid down, yet some useful hints, &c. may be suggested, and adopted to advantage. ( To be continued). *Square-leg. Deep Square-leg: used to be termed long-field to the hip.—Ed. Cricket. The Sports and Games Association, of 56, Edg- ware Road, W., have issued a very interesting catalogue, a copy of which will be sent post free to any address upon application. A smaller illustrated price list of cameras and photo­ graphic accessories is also published by the same firm, and should prove very useful at the pre­ sent moment, when cricket snapshottists are beginning to prepare for the summer campaign.