James Lillywhite's Cricketers' Annual 1875

I I l I 2 subject dot1btless is one, you say, that is by this time worn thread-bare, eut good cloth will bear much patching, and I would fain hope that in my hands the garme ?� will at lea � t b � treated pr � etically, if not skilfully. On the proper pos1t1on to be ma1nta1ned at the Wicket by the batsman, the doctors who have already been engaged in the case disagree. On the one hand, Mr. ]!clix, o� whose tr�atise on the bat I think no one _can speak except in ierms ot the highest praise, recommends, as the best attitude, " to stand with your knees slightly bent, just enough to enable · you to spring immediately into whatever attitude you may be required to go.'' But I am compelled o.n this poiI1t respectfully to disagTee with that ancient at1thority. The author oi the Cricket Field, on the other hand, advises the adoption of an entirely clifferent plan, a11d his recomin�ndations my ow11 experience induces me cordially to endorse. Indeed, the latter m ..ite1� has a very powerful case to irnpport his side of the question. He maintains that the knees shottld be kept firm .and rigid, as it is only the11 that the mt1scles can be relaxed and ready for sudden aotion. In this respect, however, much may be lea1'llt by watching the attitude of a good batsman. To my mind the faeilit:, of acqtriring a good position is a valltable gift, to which I cannot but t]link too slight importance is acco1·ded. The following diagram, which I have been permitted to use by the prop1·ietors of the Cricket Field, in illt1stration of the present ru:ticle, will serve to demonstrate to some extent my ideas, although special attention must be . given to the notfl thereto appended. • \, • a I • ' * PREPARING o · R ACTION. • The toes are too much before wicket, and the foot is hardly within the crease. Foreshortening suits ow .. illu•tration better than a1·tistic effect.