James Lillywhiite's Cricketers' Annual 1874

1 8 2 X L V. The Umpire must take especial care to call " No Ball " instantly upon delivery ; " Wide Ball " as soon as it shall pass the Striker . H eshould call " no ball " instantly , to give the striker opportunity to take advantage of thebowler's laxity . Abatsmancannot be out from ano-ball except bybeing runout. XLVI. The players who go in second shall follow their innings , if they have obtained eighty runs less than their antagonists , except in all matches limited to one day's play , when the number shall be limited to sixty instead of eighty . X L V I I. W h e none of the Strikers shall havebeenput out, the use of the bat shall not be allowed to any person until the next Striker shall come in. Avery useful provision , but unfortunately one muchabused. There is an opportunity innearly every gamefor players to exhibit their prowess with the bat without seizing uponthis one. N O T E. The Committee of the Marylebone Club think it desirable that pre- viously to the commencementof a Match, one of each side should be declared the managers of it ; and that the new laws with respect to substitutes maybe carried out in a spirit of fairness and mutual concession , it is their wish that such sub- stitutes be allowed in all reasonable cases , and that the Umpire should enquire if it is donewith the consent of the managerof the opposite side. Complaints having been made that it is the practice of some players when at thewicket to make holes in the ground for a footing , the Committee are of opinion that Umpires should be empowered to prevent it . Curiously enough, there is no provision in these laws for " byes." Indeed, they are not evenmentioned. It is customary, however, to allow the side batting to score as m a n yruns as m a ybe obtained , from the ball passing the longstop or wicket-keeper, as the case maybe. H o wit has cometo pass that the Marylebone Club, in their wisdom,have omitted this , it is not for m eto say. The sooner ,however, the omission is rectified , the sooner will the Lawsapproach completion . T H EL A W SO FS I N G L EW I C K E T . I. Whenthere shall be less than five players on a side , Bounds shall be placed twenty-two yards each in a line from the off and leg-stump. II. Theball musthit before the Boundsto entitle the Striker to a run, which runcannotbe obtained unless hetouch the bowling stumpor crease in a line with his bat, or some part of his person , or go beyond them; returning to the popping crease as at Double Wicket according to the 21st law. III. Whenthe Striker shall hit the ball , one of his feet must be on the ground andbehind the popping crease , otherwise the Umpire shall call " No Hit." IV. Whenthere shall be less than five Players on a side , neither Byes nor Overthrows shall be allowed , nor shall the Striker be caught out behind the wicket , norstumpedout,