James Lillywhite's Cricketers' Annual 1882

2 4 LILLYWHITE'S CRICKETERS' ANNUAL. has a very powerful case to support his side of the question . Hemaintains that the knees should be kept firm and rigid , as it is only then that the muscles can be relaxed and ready for sudden action . In this respect , how- ever , muchmaybe learnt by watching the attitude of a good batsman. Tom ymindthe facility of acquiring a good position is a valuable gift , to whichIcannot but think too slight importance is recorded . The following diagram , which I have been permitted to use by the proprietors of ' The Cricket Field ,' in illustration of the present article , will serve to demon- strate to some extent my ideas , although special attention must be given to the note thereto appended . P R E P A R I N GF O RA C T I O N.* Take up a good position on guard after the style of the batsman in the diagram . Be careful to study what is easy and natural , rather than aim at neatness and elegance , as , without thought , the latter is very often the consequence of the former. It is in this craving for effect that so many batsmen do themselves , in m y opinion , so much injustice . You cannot take the art of batting by storm, nor master it in a single lesson . Hence application must be ungrudgingly and unsparingly given , and desultory practice carefully avoided . First acquire a position that suits you and is at the sametime not incorrect , and then, by the aid of care and practice , preserve it until it becomesa confirmed attitude . It is by this means alone *Thetoes are too muchbefore the wicket, and thefoot is hardly within the crease . F o r e-shorteningsuits ourillustration betterthanartistic effect.