Canadian Cricket Field Volume 1 1882

A JOURNAL DEVOTED TO THE INTERESTS OF CRICKET IN CANADA. VOL. J. AUGUST 16, 1882. No. 12 WII be puhlished twice In Msy, twice in September, and Weekly during the In- tervening months. Corresp/ondents are requeese<d to send un contributions by thefirst ,nailon AM'onday to be in time for Wednesdays issue. Stbscriptionjfri e, $r.5o per annun, in advance. Advertisingrates on application. A1 conmunications to be addressetd, THE CA4NADIAN CRICKET FIELD, Box 3,7, Toronto, Ost. TORONTO, AUGUST .6TH, 1882. SINGLE WICKET. It is strange that single wicket mxntches are entirely unknown in Canada. One would think that in places wlhere it is so difficult to get eleven men together for a game against a neighbouring town that single wicket matches vould be resorted to in order to give the five or six, who in nearly every town are always ready for a game, a chance of having as muci cricket as they want. In Englisli papers we see constant inquiries regarding the laws of single wicket; and this fact, taken with other in- dications, shows that the game is widely popular in the mnother country. We ourselves consider the playing of single wicket matches of the greatest benefit to participants in them. When ouly two or three are on a side a man is obliged to rely more on his own personal exertions, and to trust less to collective action. His play wili therefore be niiore careful, and anything which necessitates careful play is a boon to cricket. Single wicket matches might be substituted for the ordi- nary practice at the net, which at the best is wearisome on one or two afternoons in the week. We are sure that a great deal of interest would be excited in them, and that they would be greatly enjoyed by the players. We shall be happy to publish the scores of any single wicket matches which may be played. EDITORIAL NOTE. We owe our subscribers an apology for the lateness of the present number. We should like to hear the public feeling about giving the Australians a match on their retura frein England. Such a matc. might possibly be arranged, and it would give Canadians a chance of seeing the famous 3rd Australian teanm. Just in the very heyday of that pastine of which he was go fond' has Cuthbert William Shanly been removed from anongst us. Long as was our warning that lie might bc severed fron us, yet longer still and stronger vas our hope that it might be otherwise, and that once again, good fellow that he was, he miight be wvith us as in days gone by, when, with his nanly bearing and true, good qualities, le won from us our affections. But when, poor fellow, he had at last to go, the shock that burst the ties of those affections was ruder, as we loved him well. ** It is more than likely that the initiative steps will be taken towards securing a professional for Trinity School, Port Hope. Among the past and present boys of that institution the idea is prevalent that it would be an excellent thing to have such a man. But this is mere theory, and the question nust be brought before the authorities, and pressure brought to bear upon them froin every legitimate quarter. At Upper Canada College the Government would have to be button-holed Better let the oracle be worked here by force of example. But let the boys of Trinity College School circulate a petition, get it well signed, and present it for acceptance to the heads. Follow up this by recommendations fron old boys of good standing, and you will have a decision one way or other before next spring. CRICKET, AND HOW TO EXCEL IN IT. UY DR. w. G. GRAcE. (Published by siecial permission.) CHAPTER VI.-LAvs. -Continued. VII.-The side going in generally secs that the ground is swept and rolled. The rule says the ground shall not be tolled except at the commencement of each innings, and this often gives one side a great advantage. If the side lias been in all day, say up te twenty minutes of drawinmg the stumps, the ground is rolled before the other side go in, but it is not rolled in the morning when they continue their innings, though raii during the night may have entirely spoiled the pitch. The side that gocs in first lias thus ail thegest of it, and it would be much fairer if the ground was rolled each morning as well as between the innings. In preparing a wicket, the great thing is to have it as level as possible, and in the centre of a level area, and not on the side of a hill if it can be avoided. The space which is spncially prepared for the pitch should be about ten or twelve feet wide, and extend for about twenty yards behind each of the wickets to allow of good long-stopping -whenthe bowling is fast. The rolled space should thus measure about sixty yards by four. VIII.-This does not say how long after rain, but it means that if the grouad is wet and much cut up a change can be effected. Sometimes the ground will get into such a state that it is absolutely necessary to take advantage of this rule, and owing to the inclemnent weather of the last fow seasons many a day's cricket las had to be abandoned on account of the bad state of the ground, although the sun was shining overhead.