James Lillywhiite's Cricketers' Annual 1874

C H A P T E RVIII. T H EL A W SO FC R I C K E T . W I T HN O T E SB YJ A M E SL I L L Y W H I T E. I. The B A L Lmust weigh not less than five ounces and-a-half , nor more than five ounces and three quarters . It must measure not less than nine inches , nor morethan nine inches and one-quarter in circumference . At the beginning of each innings , either party maycall for a newball . It is not usual, however, except in case of the ball being muchdamaged, for morethan twoballs to be usedin a match. II. The B A Tmust not exceed four inches and one-quarter in the widest part ; it mustnot be more than thirty -eight inches in length . Thelaw does not specify howthis is to be enforced , butI think it is the Umpire's duty tosee that bats larger than the law allows are not played with ; and probably words addedto that effect wouldbe an improvement. III . The S T U M P Smust be three in number; twenty-seven inches out of the ground; the Bails eight inches in length ; the Stumpsof equal and of sufficient thickness to prevent the ball from passing through . Althoughnot stated , it is clearly the spirit of the law that the stumps should be eight inches wide at the bottom sa well as at the top. I havegenerally adopted the plan of laying the bails on the ground as a guide to setting up the stumps. IV. The B O W L I N GCREASEmust be in a line with the Stumps; six feet eight inches in length ; the Stumps in the centre ; with a return crease at each endtowardsthe Bowlerat right angles . It is important to notice that the return crease should be at right angles to the bowling crease .se I have often seen it drawnin an oblique direction , which wouldgive the bowleran advantage. V. The POPPINGCREASEmust be four feet from the Wicket, and parallel to it ; unlimited in length , but not shorter than the Bowling Crease . Unlimited in length , so as to give the batsman an opportunity of keeping clear of the ball whenthrown in, without incurring the danger of being struck byit. VI. The STUMPSmust be pitched opposite to each other by the Umpires , at thedistance of twenty -two yards . It is advisable to use a chain to measure the distance , as tapes are liable to stretch . VII. It shall not be lawful for either party during a match, without the con- sent of the other , to alter the ground by rolling , watering , covering , mowing, or beating , except at the commencement of each innings , when the ground shall be swept and rolled , unless the next side going in object to it . This rule is not meant toprevent the striker from beating the ground with his bat near to the spot where hestands during the innings , nor to prevent the bowler from filling up holes with saw-dust, &c., whenthe ground shall be wet. Consentto rolling , &c., is seldom or ever asked during the progress of an innings . A t the commencementof an innings the side going in should see that it is swept and rolled , as of course it is to their advantage .