James Lillywhite's Cricketers' Annnual 1881

H I N T SO NB A T T I N G. 2 5 than the reckless style of batting so often prevalent during the hours of practice . It is this unwise relapse into bad habits that seals the fate of manya promising cricketer . What is virtually the object of practice but to accustoma player to the more important necessities of a match? What is practically the result of this foolish custom of reckless and unnatural batting but to irreconcile the batsmanto his owngenuine style , and substi- tute habits whichunfit him for higher duties ? Youngcricketers will do well to avoid these suicidal tactics . There are manyother sins of omission andcommission into whichit would be possible to enter were the present volumeas capacious as the Koran, or the present writer as industrious as one ofits expositors . O nthe minortopics incidental to the gamethere is muchto be said that has been unsaid . Onthe various appliances of the game there is m u c hto be written, if only to satisfy anxious inquirers . I shall , however, merely bring to an end this m yfirst rough article on cricket with a few brief wordsof advice on subjects which are not sufficiently attended to. I allude first to the necessity of good running as one of the brightest feathers in the cap of anyone whoclaims to be an effective batsman. It is b ythe neglect of this essential that manyruns are lost , andmanya ' notch ' indirectly given to the other side . To see two good runners at the wickets is a treat to those who understand genuine cricket . There is no slovenly dallying , no indecision , no call for a run and after recall . I nthis respect alone a batsmanof mediocrity m a ybe of as muchreal value as one of far superior powers. Be ready to back up immediately the ball leaves the hand of the bowler, and be careful to act decisively , as on this depends greatly the fate of your opposite neighbour . If you feel inclined to run do not hesitate , but call , and on no account reduce your partner to the necessity of retracing his steps , as from the fact of your backing up, you can get to the opposite wicket with greater ease 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 imprac- ticable attempt and a succession of stolen runs has the effect of not only irritating the bowler, but of demoralising and detracting from the efficacy of the field . Again, to bat with strict care at the commence- mentof your innings , trusting to time and the gradual diminution of accuracy on the part of the bowler to admit of scoring , is advice that wouldseem to be superfluous . But patience throughout an innings of any duration is a virtue of great rarity amongbatsmen, Take care of the stumps, and the runs will take care of themselves , is an axiom that cannotbe contradicted. Consistentcare fromfirst to last will do m o r ein the long run than impatience or desire for fast scoring . Remember, more- over, that it is not bad bowling that wants the least caution , and do not despise it, as some batsmen are too prone to do. To underrate a foe is weakness, and should always be avoided. One last hint to the young beginner and I have done. Do not play with a bat too heavy for your strength . I think a bat should not exceed for any young batsman 2lbs . 3oz ., or even 2lbs . 24oz , It is the overweight that cripples manya promising player , and prevents him not only from doing himself justice in the present , but mars his utility in the future ,