James Lillywhite's Cricketers' Annual 1878

3 themselves cannotundo the thing that is done.” Hereon I should like to base nay first word of caution to the young beginner. The acquisition of a good style and natural position is as easy as falling into a loose and ungainly atti­ tude, and the one will do much to inspire confidence, while the other will always prove an obstacle in the way of excellence. Nothing Is of such incalculable benefit to the student in the art of batting as the 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 momentary neglect of it, that causes so many ex­ perienced batsmen to retire with the fatal cypher attached to their names. The following diagram which I have been permitted to use by the Proprie­ tors of “ The Cricket Field,” in illustration of the present article, will serve to demonstrate to some extent my ideas, though special attention must be given to the note thereto appended. PREPARING FOR ACTION. The toes arc too much before the wicket, and the foot Is hardly within the crease. Foreshortening suits our illustration better than artistic effect. Practice, then, first of all, the secret of straight and upright play, and you will have grounded well in the first rudiments of the art. I am ready to anticipate the argument that there are many batsmen who have gained fame without the acquisition of this principle. But I maintain that they are very exceptional in­ stances, and that, despite the eccentricities of the learned critics who have ad­ vocated 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 must be studied as only next in importance. On these topics, it may possibly be argued, that there can be but little to say that can be new or original. The subject, doubtless, is one, you say, that is 2* 9