James Lillywhite's Cricketers' Annual 1882

2 2 0 LILLYWHITE'SCRICKETERS' A N N U A L. C H A P T E R V. T h e Laws of Cricket. W I T HN O T E SB YJ A M E SL I L L Y W H I T E . I. The B A L Lmust not weigh less than five ounces and a half , nor morethan five ounces and three -quarters . It must measure not less than nine inches , nor more than nine inches and one-quarter in circumference . At the beginning of each innings , either party maycall for a new ball . [It is not usual , however, except in case of the ball being m u c hdamaged, for m o r ethant w oballs to be usedin a m a t c h.] II . The B A T must not exceed four inches and one-quarter in the widest part ; it must not be more than thirty -eight inches in length . [Thelaw does not specify how this is to be enforced , but I think it is the Umpire'sdutyto see that bats larger thanthelaw allows are not playedwith; andprobably words addedto that effect wouldbe an improvement.] III . The STUMPSmust be three in number; twenty-seven inches out of the ground; the Bails eight inches in length ; the Stumpsof equal and of sufficient thickness to prevent the ball frompassing through . [Althoughnotstated , it is clearly the spirit of the law, andthe stumpsshould beeight inches wide at the bottom as well as at the top . I have generally adopted the plan of laying the bails onthe ground as a guide to setting up the stumps.] IV. The BoWLINGCREASEmust be in a line with the stumps ; six feet eight inches in length ; the stumps in the centre ; with a return crease at each end towards the bowler at right angles . [It is important to notice that the return crease should be at right angles to thebowling crease . I have often seen it drawnin an oblique direction , which w o u l dgivethebowlera nadvantage.] V. The POPPING CREASEmust be four feet from the wicket, and parallel to it ; unlimited in length but not shorter than the bowling crease . [Unlimited in length , so as to give the batsmanan opportunity of keeping clear of the ball whenthrown in, without incurring the danger of being struck b yit.] VI. The WICKETS must be pitched opposite to each other by the Umpires at the distance of twenty -two yards . [It is advisable to use a chainto measurethe distance, as tapes are liable to stretch.]