James Lillywhite's Cricketers' Annual 1883

T H EL A W SO F C R I C K E T . 1 9 3 X L V. The Umpiremust take especial care to call ' N o Ball ' instantly upondelivery ; ' WideBall ' as soon as it shall pass the Striker . [H eshould call ' no ball' instantly , to give the striker opportunityto take advantage of the bowler's laxity . Abatsmancannot be out from a no-ball except bybeing runout.] X L V I. The players whogo in second shall follow their innings if they have obtained eighty runs less than their antagonists , except in all matches limited to one day's play, whenthe numbershall be limited to sixty , instead of eighty . X L V I I. W h e none of the Strikers shall have been put out, the use of the batshall not be allowed to any person until the next Striker shall come in. [A very useful provision , but unfortunately one much abused. There is an opportunity in nearly every game for players to exhibit their prowess with the batwithout seizing uponthis one.] N O T E.-The Committee of the Marylebone Club think it desirable that previously to the commencementof a Match, one of each side should be declared themanagerof it ; andthat the new laws with respect to substitutes m a ybe carried out in a spirit of fairness and mutual concession , it is their wish that such substitutes be allowed in all reasonable cases , andthat the Umpireshould inquire if it is done with the consent of the manager of the opposite side . Complaints having been madethat it is the practice of some players when at the wicket , to makeholes in the ground for a footing , the Committee are of opinion that Umpires should be empoweredto prevent it . [Curiously enough, there is no provision in these laws for ' byes.' Indeed they are not even mentioned . It is customary, however, to allow the side batting to score as manyruns as m a ybe obtained , from the ball passing the long-stop or wicket-keeper, as the case maybe. H o wit has cometo pass that the Marylebone Club, in their wisdom, have omitted this , it is not for m e to say. The sooner however, the omission is rectified , the sooner will the Lawsapproach completion .] T H EL A W SO FS I N G L EW I C K E T . I. W h e nthere shall be less than five players on a side , Bounds shall be placed twenty-two yards each in a line from the off and leg-stumps. II. Theball must be hit before the bounds to entitle the Striker to a run, whichrun cannot be obtained unless he touches the bowling stumpor crease in a line with his bat, or some part of his person , or go beyond them; returning to the popping crease as at DoubleWicket, according to the 21st L a w. III. W h e nthe Striker shall hit the ball , one of his feet must be on the ground and behind the popping crease , otherwise the Umpireshall call 'N oHit.' IV. Whenthere shall be less than five players on a side neither Byes nor Overthrows shall be allowed , nor shall the Striker be caught out behind the wicket, nor stumped out. 4 H