James Lillywhite's Cricketers' Annual 1879

CHAPTER 11. , HINTS ON BATTING. By W. G. GRACE. FIRST, let it. be premised that, in my opinion, one hour of practical tuition in cricket will be ol'more use than volumes oftheoreticzil instruction. It has been cleverly stated by some one or other that “ an ounce of mother’s wit is worth a pound ofelergy.” And while rleprecating 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 refinecl what at first depended mainly on the superabundance of rough oml 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 air art that requires much cultivation. “I have remarked,” said Carlyle, “that of all things a. nation must be first drilled.” Ponder ovci- this, and consider it in the light ofa 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 qualifier] drill sergcaiit. The necessity of acting upon this advice cannot be overrated. A habit acquired in youth of correct play will materially ai<l the aspirant, and will, believe me, never be lost ; while, on the other hand, an awkward attitude or a peculiarity calculate<l to mar the execution of a batsman will take much time to eradicate, even if the habit be not. forined beyond the hope of correction. “ Tlie gods themselves cannot. undo the thing that is done." Hereonl shouldlike to base my first word of caution to the young beginner. Tlie acquisition of a goocl style and natural position is as ensy as falling into a loo - 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 sucli incnl- culable 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 especial point. tliata young cricketer mustofall others seek earnestly to excel. It is the want or this essential habit, or the momentary neglect of it, that causes so many experienced batsmen to retire with the fatal eypher attached to tlieii~ names. Ilie following diagram, icli I have becii permitted to use by the Pro- prictors of “The Cricket 1 M,” in illustration of the present article, will seri'e to demonstrate to some extent my ideas, tliougli special attention must be given to the note thereto appended. Practice, theii, first of all, the secret of straight. and upright plav, and you will have grounded well in the first rudiments of the art. 1 mii read)" to anticipate the argumeiit that there are many batsineii who have gained fiimu without the acquisition of this principle. But I maintain that they are very exceptional instances, and that, despite the ccccntricities of the learned critics who have advocated a contrarycourse with their motto, “ Runs at any price," to play with a straight and upriglit bat is the point b)’ which you can recognise, aboyc all others, the accomplished and skilful batsman. To aehievc this desrrable 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 arguetl, that there car: be but little to say that can be neiv or original. The subject, doubtless, is one,