James Lilllywhite's Cricketers' Annual 1880

3 4 LILLYWHITE'SCRICKETERS A N N U A L. tions of the ball from spin or accidental deflections by reason of ground or other causes . Butforward play should be only used with caution , and to step out to a ball for the sake of smothering it is a dangerous experiment that should be discouraged . With a straight bat much is possible , and it will be found muchcan be accomplished . Obviously , in playing forward the ball must be metat or near its pitch , and unless it can be so met, that there is no chance of its rising over the shoulder of the bat , recourse must be had to defence . A n din back play there is always the advantage of an extension of time for resolution and an opportunity of counteracting the course of the ball after its pitch with all its deflections or curvatures . It enables a batsman to enjoy a better sight of the ball , to stop a bailer , and to be down on a shooter with equal certainty ; but, generally , I recommend the adoption of forward play, whenever it is consistent with safety . To select at times the more advisable of the two methods is difficult , but with consistent patience success will generally follow . The slightest hesitation maybe fatal ; so let me counsel rapidity of determination and promptitude of action , and , as in the case of back play-as before stated -a resolute style of defence rather than a weak resistance . There are many other points.in connection with the science of batting that do not come within the province of this article , though possibly Imayenter on their treatment on another occasion . For mypresent purpose it is enough to direct attention to the points in batting of most use to young cricketers , without wasting time on the fancy strokes which no treatise can teach . To cut ' well is , of course , one of the most brilliant and effective hits in the hands of a good batsman , but example will here , more than in any other instance , be vastly superior to precept . To state merely that in ' cut- ting ' the left leg usually takes the place of the right as the pivot -leg , and that the latter is briskly advanced to the off -side , will give but a feeble idea of the beauty of this hit . To cut well requires a flexibility of wrist that cannot possibly be transferred to paper , and possesses a fascination to on- lookers that no pen can describe . To meet balls on the leg -side , too , without endangering your wicket , is an accomplishment that can only be gained by practice . It maybe safely stated that there is not in the present generation of cricketers a leg -hitter so remarkable for accuracy as was George Parr in his best day; for agood leg -hitter is now a rarity , or the field could not be divested , as it now is so often , of so important a man as long -leg . It maybe that there are few batsmen who can hit in this quarter without exposing them- selves to the chances of a catch , but it is certain that at least among the professional cricketers of the day I can call to mind no leg -hitter worthy of comparison with George Parr . It is on the leg -stump that many batsmen are unquestionably weak , with a propensity for ' blind -swiping ' that inevitably denotes a certain recklessness ; or, on the other hand, desire or fear for the safety of their limbs . Here , again , in playing balls on the leg -stump a firm position must be maintained , and by practice the art of making runs from them be acquired . For it is an art , believe me, and one that is not sufficiently studied . In this case keep the bat persistently straight as before , paying due attention to the penalty incurred by the infringement of the law of leg -before -wicket , and by playing forward or back hard on the ball you will find runs come freely . With fast bowlers especially this hit , or ' shove ,' as it may perhaps be more aptly termed , tells at times with signal effect , and constant practice to secure its achievement will not be uselessly employed . Above all things be careful not to move out of your ground to hit at a ball on the leg -side , as this is a most hazardous experiment , and should be studiously avoided . In leg -hitting , the right leg must be kept firm ,