James Lillywhiite's Cricketers' Annual 1874

P A R T I. C H A P T E R I. H I N T SO N B A T T I N G . BY W. G. GRACE, Esq. FIRST let it be premised that, in m yopinion , one hour of practical tuition in cricket will be of more use thanvolumesof theoretical instruction . It has been cleverly stated by some one or other that " an ounce of mother's wit is worth a pound of clergy ." And while deprecating any literal application of the proverb to clerical interests , I think there is much in its inference that may not only be worthy of universal consideration , but of special connection with the topic before us. In batting , indeed , as in every pursuit where science has to a great extent refined what at first depended mainly on the superabundance of rough and uncultivated force , commonsense , and a reasonable amount of observation , will do muchto promote success . There is no royal road to cricket ; andbatting , above all , is an art that requires muchcultivation . " I have re- marked ," says Carlyle , " that of all things a nation must first be drilled ." Ponder over this and consider it in the light of a cricket precept . Aboveall things it is essentially necessary for a young batsman at the outset to receive judicious tuition at the hands of a qualified drill sergeant . The necessity of acting upon this advice cannot be over -rated . A habit acquired in youth of correct play , will materially aid the aspirant , and will , believe me, never be lost , while on the other hand , an awkward attitude or a peculiarity calculated to mar the execution of a batsman will take muchtime to eradicate , even if the habit be not formed beyond hope of correction . " The gods themselves cannot undo the thing that is done." Hereon I should like to base m yfirst word of caution to the young beginner . The acquisition of a good style and natural position is as easy as falling into loose and ungainly attitude , and the one will do much to inspire confidence , while the other will always prove an obstacle in the way ofexcellence . Nothing is of such incalculable benefit to the student in the art of batting as an early adherence to the necessary principle of playing with a straight bat. It is in this special point that a young cricketer must of all others seek earnestly to excel . It is the want of this essential habit , or the moment- ary neglect of it , that causes so manyexperienced batsmen to retire with the fatal cipher attached to their names. Practise then, first of all , the secret of straight and upright play , and you will have grounded yourself well in the first rudiments of the art . 1 a mready to anticipate the argument that there are manybatsmen who have gained fame without the acquisition of this principle . But Imaintain that they are very exceptional instances , and that , despite the eccentricities of the learned critics whohave advocated a contrary course with their motto " Runs at any price ," to play with a straight and upright bat is the point by which you can recognise above all others the accomplished and skilful batsman. To achieve this desirable end, constant practice is necessary , and with increasing perfection will also be gained a natural position , which mustbe studied as only next in importance . On these topics , it may possibly