James Lillywhite's Cricketers' Annual 1883

1 8 8 LILLYWHITE'SCRICKETERS' A N N U A L. C H A P T E R V I I. T H EL A W SO FC R I C K E T . W I T HN O T E SB Y J A M E SL I L L Y W H I T E . I. The BALLmust not weigh less than five ounces and a half, nor more thanfive ounces and three -quarters . It must measure not less thannine inches , normorethan nine inches and one-quarter in circumference . A tthe beginning of each innings , either party m a ycall for a newball . [It is not usual , however, except in case of the ball being muchdamaged, for m o r ethantwoballs to be usedin amatch.] II. The BAT must not exceed four inches and one-quarter in the widest part ; it mustnot 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's duty to see that bats larger thanthe law allows are not played with ; and probablywords added to that effect wouldbe an improvement.] III. The STUMPS must 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 from passing through . [Althoughnot stated , it is clearly the spirit of the law, and the stumps should beeight inches wide at the bottom as well as the top. I have generally adopted the plan of laying the bails on the ground as a guide to setting up the stumps] I V. T h e B O W L I N GCREASEmustbe in a line with the stumps; six feet eight inches in length ; the stumps in the centre ; with a return crease at each endtowards the bowler at right angles . [It is important to notice that the return crease should be at right angles to the bowling crease . I have often seen it drawnin anoblique direction , which would givethebowleranadvantage. V. The POPPING CREASE must 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.] V I. The WICKETSmustbe pitched opposite to each other by the Umpires at the distance of twenty-twoyards. [It is advisable to use a chain to measure the distance , as tapes are liable to stretch.] V I I. It shall not be lawful for either party during the match, without the consent of the other , to alter the ground by rolling ,watering , covering , mowing, or beating , except at the commencement of each innings , when the ground shall be swept and rolled , unless the next side going in object to it. This rule is not meantto prevent the Striker from beating the ground with his bat near to the spotwherehe stands during the innings , nor to prevent the bowler from filling up holes with sawdust, &c., whenthe ground shall be wet. [Consent to rolling , &c., is soldom or ever asked during the progress of an innings . A t the commencementof an innings the side going in should see that it is swept and rolled , as of course it is to their advantage.]