James Lillywhite's Cricketers' Annual 1878

2 seven decisive victories and one veiy interesting draw, out of a programme of eight County Matches, and in addition the triumphant achievement of a victory over England, at the Oval, on July 26 and 27. That no eleven for many years has shown itself so capable of coping with England single-handed will be generally admitted. It has been the custom of fastidious judges to depreciate the bowling of Mr. W . G. Grace, but to this order we have never belonged, and resolutely maintained his claims to the very front rank, as with a delivery most difficult to play he is further possessed of more headwork than is common among other bowlers of the day. The figures in the photograph will, no doubt, be all recognised. Mr. W . G. Grace, the greatest cricketer of the a^e, and with­ out doubt the finest all round player cricket has ever produced, an able captain, a successful bowler, a brilliant field, and a batsman without a rival ; E. M. Grace— “ the Doctor” still a resolute hitter, with almost as keen an eye as of old when he stood out prominent as the most dangerous batsman of the day, the finest point that we have ever seen; G. F. Grace, a good batsman with plenty of hit, a safe field, and at times an effective fast round arm bowler ; F. Townsend, also a dangerous batsman if well set, and a sure field ; R . F . Miles, a slow left round arm bowler generally successful; at times very le tting ; W . O. Moberly, a neat bat, and difficult to dismiss when at all s e t ; Capt. KLmgscote, an efficient wicket keeper, who acted as a substitute for Mr. J. A . Bush, W . Fairbanks, a useful bat and a smart field ; W . R . Gilbert, a reliable and steady batsman, at times a very successful slow round arm bowler, and sure in the field; F . G. Monkland, occasionally arungetter and a brisk and sure field ; Midwinter, the Melbourne ground man, and the first professional regularly drafted into the Gloucestershire team, a very effective, slow, round arm bowler, a good field, and likely to be a dangerous batsman, having, in addition to excellent defence, exceptional hitting powers. CHAPTER II. i * • ' C * /»■<* HINTS ON BATTING. B y W. G. G race . F irst let it be premised that, in my opinion, one hour of practical tuition in cricket will be of more use than volumes o f theoretical instruction. It has been cleverly stated by some one or other that “ an ounce of mothers’s wit is worth a pound of clergy.” And while deprecating any literal application of the pro­ verb 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, common sense, and a reasonable amount of observation, will do much to promote success. There is no royal road to cricket; and batting, above all, is an art that requires much cultivation. “ I have remarked,” said Carlyle, “ that of all things a nation must first be dril­ led.” Ponder over this, and consider it in the light of a cricket precept. Above all things it is essentially necessary for a young batsman at the outset to receive judicious tuition at the hands of a qualified drill serjeant. The ne­ cessity of acting upon this advice cannot be overrated. 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 much time to eradicate, even ix the habit be not formed beyond the hope o f correction. “ The gods r -