James Lilllywhite's Cricketers' Annual 1880

A Z I Z Z AH I N T SO N B A T T I N G . а н а 3 3 but there are , beyond doubt , hundreds of others that this passive style of de fensive batting allows to escape unpunished . To block a shooter or stop a bailer can as easily be accomplished in a resolute as in a hesitating manner, while in the one case runs will accrue , and in the other , runs maynever come . Play vigorously , then , and when you ' play ' a ball , play it confidently and with a resolute movement , with both arms and wrists acting in concert , as if you had some other idea than a mere passive occupation of a beleaguered fortress . W h e n you hit , hit hard ; when you block , do not be deterred from infusing vigour even into this movement . So much for what I may call the first rudiments of scientific batting . There are other points which may affect the student who has mastered the early lessons and succeeded in gaining a knowledge of batting as well as a sufficiency of confidence to enable him to experimentalise on his own behoof . I am not going to enter into a description of the three kinds into which , I have read , straight balls are divided , as I cannot but think that this is a line of instruction of but little practical value . It is practice , and, as I have previously remarked , the aid of a good example for imitation , that will d omostto form a successful batsman. Indeed, no more useful lesson can be derived in the study of batting than the sight of a skilful batsman at work. Thewilling scholar will learn muchto do, and more still to leave undone, from the example of a good master. He will be, as it were, initiated into mysteries that were previously beyond the pale of his comprehension . He will , if he love the game, take up readily the position , be quick to comprehend the exi- gency of each movement, and with increasing perception , gain increased knowledge as well as the confidence incidental thereto . He will see for himself the practical good of the theoretical instruction he has received , the practical demerits of the defects against which he has been cautioned . He will find that there is something more needed to gain distinction than a display of wild hit- ting ; and that in hitting there is a certain skill that requires more than the possession of great physical force . He will , if the lesson proves fruitful , find that to hit well necessitates a combination of eye and hand, the former to time and the latter to strike ; as well as a large amount of wrist play which will alone tend to produce a freedom of hitting and a power inconceivable to one who has not discovered the secret of this peculiar gift . He will see , too , with whatconfidence every ball is played , with what decision every artifice of the bowler is met, and how skilfully the line is drawnbetween the delicate distinc- tions of forward and back play . It is obviously in the uncertainty of deciding on these last two points that the bowler has the greatest advantage. There is a ball of a certain length that baffles every player , or at least one that requires the undivided attention of the best batsmen . ' It is a length ,' says Mr. Felix , ' that brings over a manmost indescribable emotions .' Perhaps I maybe not inclined to go so far as Mr. Felix in the extent of his expression , though I have realised fully the force of his statement at times . It requires muchpatience and decision indeed to be able to meet this same representative ball with fortitude , and a continuance of practice to master it thoroughly . The mechanical persistency of a bowler in working away at the weak point in a batsman's armour is seldom unsuccessful . There are only two methods ofplaying what is termed a length ball , and it depends on the immediate selection of the one or the other whetherdiscomfiture or success ensues. Abatsmanwith a long reach will smother balls that would puzzle one of smaller stature . Reach has unquestionably much to do in the matter , but patience and de- cision are still more powerful allies . To play forward is, undoubtedly , when possible , the more advisable plan , as by this means are avoided all the devia