James Lillywhite's Cricketers' Annual 1883

1 0 L I L L Y W H I T E ' SC R I C K E T E R S ' A N N U A L. C H A P T E R III. H I N T SO N B A T T I N G . B YW . G. G R A C E. FIRSTlet it be premised that, in m yopinion , one hour of practical tuition in cricket will be of more use than volumes of theoretical instruction . It has been cleverly stated by some one or the other that an ounce of mother's wit is worth a pound of clergy .' And while deprecating any literal application of the proverb to clerical interests , I think there is muchin its inference that maynot only be worthy of universal consideration , but of special connection withthe topic before us. Inbatting , indeed , as in every pursuit where science has to a great extent refined what at first depended mainly on the super -abundance of rough and uncultivated force , common sense , and a reasonable amount of observation , will do muchto promote success . There is no royal road to cricket ; and batting , above all , is an art that requires much cultivation . ' I have remarked,' said Carlyle , that of all things a nation must first be drilled .' Ponder over this , and consider it in the light of a cricket precept . Aboveall things it is essentially necessary for a young batsman at the outset to receive judicious tuition at the hands of a qualified drill sergeant . The necessity of acting upon this advice cannot be overrated . Ahabit acquired in youth of correct play will materially aid the aspirant , and will , believe m e, never be lost ; while , on the other hand, an awkward attitude or a peculiarity calculated to marthe execution of a batsmanwill take m u c htime to eradicate, even if the habit be not formed beyond the hope of correction . 'The gods themselves cannot undo the thing that is done.' HereonI should like to base m yfirst word of caution to the youngbeginner . The acquisition of a good style and natural position is as easy as falling into a loose and ungainly attitude , and the one will do much to inspire confidence ,while the other will always prove an obstacle in the way of excellence . Nothing is of such incalculable benefit to the student in the art of batting as the early adherence to the necessary principle of playing with a straight bat. It is in this special point that a young cricketer must of all others seek earnestly to excel . It is the want of this essential habit , or the momentaryneglect of it, that causes so manyexperienced batsmen to retire with the fatal cypher attached to their n a m e s. Practise , then, first of all , the secret of straight and upright play, and you will have grounded well in the first rudiments of the art. I a mready to antici- pate the argument that there are manybatsmen who have gained fame without the acquisition of this principle . But I maintain that they are very exceptional instances , and that, despite the eccentricities of the learned critics who have advocated a contrary course with their motto ' Runsat any price ,' to play with a straight and upright bat is the point by which you can recognise , above all others , the accomplished and skilful batsman. To achieve this desirable end, constant practice is necessary , and with increasing perfection will also be gained a natural position , which must be studied as only next in importance . O n these topics it m a ypossibly be argued that there can be but little to say that can be new or original . The subject , doubtless , is one, you say, that is by this time wornthreadbare ,butgood cloth will bear muchpatching , andI would fain hope that in m yhands the garment will at least be treated practically , if not skilfully . O nthe proper position to be maintained at the wicket by the batsman, the doctors whohave already been engaged in the case disagree . O nthe one hand, Mr. Felix, of whose treatise on the bat I think no one can speak, except in terms of the highest praise , recommends , as the best attitude , to stand with your knee slightly bent , just enough to enable you to spring immediately into what- ever attitude you maybe required to go . But I am compelled on this point respectfully to disagree with that ancient authority . The author of The