James Lillywhite's Cricketers' Annual 1879

34- which unfit him for higher duties P Young cricketers will do well toavoid suicidal tactics. There are many other sins of omission anti commission , into which it would be impossible to enter were the present volume as_capac10us as the Koran, ortlie present writer as industrious as one ofits expositors. On the minor topics incidental to the game there is much to be said which has been unsaid. On the varietis appliances ofthe ganie there is much to be writ— ten, if only to satisfy anxious inquirers. I shall, however, merely bring to an » end this my first rougli article on cricket with a few brief words of advice on subjects which are not sufficiently' attendctl to I allude first to the neces- sity ofgootl running as one of the brightest feathers in the cap of any one who . claims to be an efl‘cctive batsman. It; is by the neglect of this essential that many runs are lost, and many" a “ notch ” indirectly giveii to the other side. To see two good runners at the wickets is a treat to those who understand . ‘ genuine cricket. There is no slovenl)’ dallying, no indecision, no call fora run, antl after recallt In this respect alone a batsman of mediocrity may be of as f much real value as one offer superior powers. Be ready to baelr up imme- diately the ball leaves the hand of the bowler, and be careful to act decisivelyv, . as on this depends greatly the fate of your opposite neighbour. If you feel in- clined to 11m do not hesitate, but call, and 01) no account reduce your partner to the necessity of retracing his steps, as from the fact of your backing up, yoii can get. to the opposite wicket with greater case than he can return and recover his ground. This last caution should not be overlooked. A stolen run, if the batsmen act well in concert, is by no means difficult of achievement—though care should be taken against any really impracticable attempt—and a succes- sion of stolen mus has the effect ofnot only’ irritating the bowler, but of de4 .' moralising and detracting from the ciiicacyt of the field. Again, to bat with strict cart: at the commencement of your innings, trusting to time and the gradual diminution 01' accuracy' on the part of the bowler to atltnit of scoring, is advice that would seem to he superfluous. But patience throughout an in» nings of any duration is a virtue of great rarity amongy batsmen. Take care of the stumps, and the runs will take care of themselves, is art axiom tlfat cannot be contradicted. Consistent care from first to last will do more in the long nm than impatience or desire for fast scoring. Remember, moreover, that it is not bad bowling that wants the least cautioii, and do not despise it as some batsmen are too proiie to do. To underrate a foe is weakness, and should al- ways be avoided. One last hint to the young begimier and I have done. Do not play- with abat too heavy for your strength. I think a bat should not ex- ceed fm‘ anyY young batsman zlbs. 302. or even zlhs. 2.1,0z. It is the overweight that cripples many a promising player. anal prevents him not only front doillg é lnmsclfjustice in the present, but mars his utility in the future, l 7 ; | ... ”N. “J,