James Lilllywhite's Cricketers' Annual 1880

H I N T SO NB A T T I N G . H A Y A H 2 9 C H A P T E R III. H I N T SO NB A T T I N G . B YW . G. G R A C E. FIRSTlet it be premised that, in m yopinion , one hour of practical tuition in cricket will be of more use thanvolumesof theoretical instruction . It has been cleverly stated by some one or other that ' an ounce of mother's wit is worth a pound of clergy . And while deprecating any literal application of the proverb to clerical interests , I think there is muchin its inference that maynot only be worthy of universal consideration , but of special connection with the topic before us. Inbatting , indeed , as in every pursuit where science has to a great extent refined what at first depended mainly on the super -abun- dance of rough and uncultivated force , commonsense , 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 drilled .' 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 sergeant . The ne- cessity of acting upon this advice cannot be overrated . Ahabit 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 muchtime to eradicate , even if the habit be not formed beyond the hope of correction . 'The gods themselves cannot undo the thing that is done.' Hereon I should like to base m yfirst word of caution to the young beginner . The acquisition of a good style and natural position is as easy as falling into aloose 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 incal- 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 special point that ayoung 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 experienced batsmen to retire with the fatal cypher attached to their names . Practise , then , first of all , the secret of straight and upright play , and you will have grounded well in the first rudiments of the art . Iam ready to anticipate the argument that there are many batsmen who have gained g fame without the acquisition of this principle . But I maintain that they are very exceptional instances , and that , despite the eccentricities of the learned critics whohave advocated 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 . O nthese topics it maypossibly be argued that there can be but little to say that can benew or original . The subject , doubtless , is one , you say, that is by this time worn threadbare , but good cloth will bear much patching , and I would fain hope that in myhands the garment will at least be treated practi- cally , if not skilfully . On the proper position to be maintained at the wicket 3