James Lillywhite's Cricketers' Annual 1882

3 2 LILLYWHITE'SCRICKETERS' A N N U A L. varying the height, pace and curve of the ball as often as he thinks fit . If the person to w h o mthe ball is thrown is in the deep field , he should be required to return it briskly to the wicket keep, full pitch , or at a con- venient angle for the purpose of " running out." Such returns -so very important are they in a match-should be carefully and persistently practised , and the results will be very satisfactory . The " thrower" will of course exercise m u c hdiscretion as to the m a n n e rin whichhe " keepsthe near fields going." H e must try to realise , as far as possible , the wayin which a good bat places balls , so as just to escape the several fields , and, in " throwing" the ball , to makeit go as awkwardlyas possible to the various positions in the field . To change the point of projection is also advisable , and, in order to do this , let him and the wicket keep change ends-the " field " remaining in the same positions as before . This change of sides will enable each memberof the teamto see the ball coming at himunder m u c hchanged conditions . Every manought to have plenty to do, because, unlike the case of a match, the ball can be placed here or there , quickly or slowly , according as the captain or " thrower " thinks fit . Nor is this unimportant in school -boy cricket training . Bad fielding is often the result of inattention ; and, consequently in proportion as " concentration " is encouraged , so will good fielding appear . I amquite conscious that many objections can be preferred against this system of practice : an important one is, that it cannotmuchbenefit the fields near the wickets (slip , point , midon, midoff), because, being so near the " thrower," their judgmentwill be paralysed by the suddenness of the " throw ," or by the unnatural curve of the ball as it comes to them. I must submit , however , that the person who throws (be he captain or anyone else ) must try to calculate the angle , pace, and, if possible , the curl with which the ball , when sent off the bat , wouldusually reach suchfields , and, in throwing it fromthe wickets , such calculations should forcibly influence him. There are other objections to which I a mfar frominsensible . The scheme, nevertheless , if consistently worked, will be found to answer very well , and, as it necessitates regular and constant practice , it must serve to promote the real interests of good fielding . If the presence of some sensible professional , standing for the nonce as umpire, could be obtained , another element of success would be added to the general plan , which would now almost guarantee excellent results . The general principles of fielding , learnt accurately at school , and afterwards constantly " brushed up," would assert themselves here- after , and, in process of time , Royles , Hornbys , and Ulyetts would not be, as now, the eminent exceptions , but the constant offspring of thorough , prolonged , scientific practice . The maxim, " Gutta cavat lapidem non vi sed saepe cadendo," should hold in the matter of fielding , as well as in any other undertaking which requires plodding patience . J. J. P.