Cricket 1908

A p r il 16, 190S. CRICKET A WEEKLY RECORD OF THE GAME. 77 same principle is twisting- bowling. The twisting bowling is generally performed straight armed, but the hand must be below the elbow when the Ball is delivered. The Ball may be twisted by the usual mode of under-armed Bowling, by observing to deliver the Ball when it leaves the hand so that the force of the hand or a touch with the finger shall give to one side of the Ball a twist or bias. “ CHANGING BOWLER. “ When runs are got very fast, it may be adviseable to change the Bowler or Bowlers which is the custom with most players, a consultation first taking place, except where any experienced person has the management. “ The Bowler or Bowlers being changed and few runs obtained, and when it shall be deemed necessary it may be well to take the former Bowler or Bowlers again as it must be supposed they were considered the persons best adapted for that purpose, tho’ no exact rule can be laid down as to this particular, and not having several trials before the best come on again, it often oc­ curs that when a Striker has had sufficient practice with a good Bowler it will be as difficult for him to bowl him out, as it would be for another, who could not bowl so well, if he had not practised with him. Very few Bowlers run alike before the de­ livery of the Ball, or deliver it in the same manner, therefore any fresh Bowler may materially alter the mode of the Striker’s hitting, therefore if any person bowl ever so well and no wickets are obtained and runs are getting fast, it is always advise­ able to change the Bowler or Bowlers, though it be for such as are not so well qualified. ■"ATTITUDE OF STANDING TO STRIKE. “ The Batsman should place himself in an easy and good posture, though you may observe that Strikers vary in their position of standing to hit, yet we recommend young players who are right handed to stand as follows, viz, the toes of the right foot to be just behind the popping crease, and both toes to be placed so as to face nearly straight towards the Bowler, clear­ ing the feet, knees, &c. from before the wicket, so that the Bowler may have a fair view of it, except that part which may be hidden by the Bat, which should be up­ right, when guarding the wicket. If right handed, the right foot should be 9 or 10 inches from a line drawn from one wicket to the other, the left foot to be 10 or 12 inches from the right foot, and care should be taken not to place the leg or foot before the wicket, for if either should Happen to stop the Ball, when pitched straight to the Wicket, not being first hit with the Bat, the Bowler will ask the Umpire whether it is not out, and such Umpire, if he observes it, is authorized to give him out, for thus impeding the progress of the Ball towards the Wicket. But if, when the Hall is not pitched straight, it is so im­ peded or stopped by the Striker, altho’ meant to be twisted by the hand of the Bowler, and the Bowler should then put the question to the Umpire, he will not give the Striker out. No person in prac­ tice, or any one who is a good player, will ever stand in such a position to hinder the play of the Ball, except an accident should happen by slipping, or otherwise. ." GUARDING THE WICKET. “ As guarding the Wicket may be con­ sidered a very necessary part to be ob­ served by the Batsman, we shall remark, that as the Bat is only 43 inches wide, and the Wicket 7 inches, the Striker cannot guard all the three Stumps which compose the Wicket, therefore we consider it neces­ sary for a young beginner to guard the middle Stump, or that which is most gener­ ally hit by the Bowler, always guarding the weakest side ; and when the Bowler is about to deliver the Ball, raise the Bat at ease, until you can judge where the Ball will pitch, &c. “ It may be here remarked, that Strikers should early adopt the method of hitting upright ; by this phrase it is not meant that the Bat should be exactly perpendicular, for the handle should be a little inclined to the Bowler, but by no means either to the right or left; and in this sense the term hittitig upright must be understood throughout the work. “ There are only three proper modes of striking well and safely, while guarding the wicket, viz. supposing the Ball to be in a straight line to the wicket, play the Bat upright to oppose its progress. 2nd. Suppose the Ball to be coming a little wide the off side, you must be cautious of it, as it may turn to the Wicket, but by playing the Bat upright, you may hit off to advan­ tage. 3d. We will suppose the Ball coming a little wide on the near side, play the Bat upright, and well on it. “ It must be observed, in the above hits, that the Striker must always suppose that the Ball if missed, would hit the Wicket and then he will avoid danger. “ There are several other adviseable strokes to make, provided it comes so as no fear can be entertained of its turning to the wicket, which will be treated of as we proceed. " THE MANNER OF STRIKING OR STOPPING WHAT IS TERMED GOOD BOWLING. “ First, we direct the attention of the player to the best method of stopping a good length ball, that is, a ball pitched to its proper distance, according to the direc­ tions before mentioned with regard to the art of Bowling, viz. when the Ball is pitched about 45 yards before the Wicket. It may be well in common practice, to draw a line or place a mark across the Play, at the above mentioned distance from the Wicket, and if the Ball be dropped on or over the line, let the Striker step his left foot forward, about three feet, as he may judge necessary, so as not to move his right foot off the ground, which will enable him to play his Bat at the Ball three feet or more before the popping crease, so that he will be enabled to stop or strike the Ball before it rises high enough to hit the fin­ gers. Another advantage arises from this, viz. if the Bowler twists the Ball, it will give but little room to do so, after it hits the ground. If a a striker cannot play with his Bat upright, we recommend him at practice, in addition to the bowling line, or mark given, to draw a line from the middle Stump, in a straight direction, towards the opposite Wicket, about 3^ feet before the popping crease, or as far as he can pleasantly reach, which will direct him to play forward at the before-mentioned bowling, and enable him to see that the Bat is leaning a little forward, in a proper direction to meet the Ball. “ In playing with this line, we must sup­ pose the Ball to be pitched straight, and not twisting. As the crease is merely to learn the Striker to hit upright, and play well forward at the Ball, he should, at this practice, receive straight bowling, but playing at the Ball is the most adviseable method, taking no notice of this line after the young and inexperienced Striker has learnt to hit upright; it is also necessary for young players, in learning to hit up­ right, to observe, that when the Bowler is about to deliver the Ball, the Bat must be, as usual, on or near the popping crease, he will then, by stepping out the left foot, as before-mentioned, carry his Bat upright, and in a straight line forward, to meet the Ball, not varying it above two inches from either side of the crease towards the ball, and which will finally clear the Wicket, until he can strike upright, when the line before-mentioned may be dispensed with, and he may play at the Ball as his judg­ ment directs him. (To be Continued •) THE TRIP TO AUSTRAL IA . * Two interesting publications have been issued in Sydney in celebration of the recent visit of English cricketers to Aus­ tralia. Mr. J. C. Davis’, the official, souvenir contains an excellent series of photographs by Hawkins, of Brighton, of the members of the side, and the manner in which they have been reproduced leaves nothing to be desired. There are also a few remarks concerning each player, a good view of the Sydney ground, various lists of averages, and an entertaining article on “ Some of Cricket’s Curiosities.” Mr. Ironside’s pamphlet also contains biographical notes, as well as a small photograph (head and shoulders) of each member of the team. Mr. Jones, whose career is the first to be dealt with, is des­ cribed as an “ improving ” batsman ; but the Notts, captain surely “ arrived ” some years ago? In the first part of the publi­ cation five interesting prints, which ap­ peared a few seasons ago in Old Times, are reproduced; these include the Aus­ tralian team of 1878 at Niagara, H. H. Stephenson’s Team to Australia in 1861-2, and New South Wales v. Victoria at Syd­ ney in 1857. * Official Souvenir of A. 0. Jones' English Cricket Team in Australia. Season 1907-1908. By J. C. Davis. Sydney: N.S.W. Bookstall Co., 476, George Street. Price, Is. Special Souvenir in Honor of the 18 th Visit of The English Cricketers to Australia, 1907-8. Compiled by F. J. Ironside. Sydney : Anthony Hordern and Sons, New Palace Emporium, Brickfield Hill. Gratis. YORK SH I RE C.C.C.* The sixteenth annual issue of the York­ shire C.C.C. Handbook, which is pub­ lished by the County Committee for the use of the Club’s members, is by far the best production of its kind. It contains the full scores of all matches played last year by the first and second XI. ’s and the colts, birth and death dates of practically all past and present Yorkshire cricketers, and much well-arranged matter, the .greater part statistical, dealing with the County’s cricket during the past 75 years. ,The volume is handsomely bound and re­ flects the greatest credit upon its editor. * Yorkshire County Cricket Club, 1908. Edited by F. C. Toone. (For members only.) j