John and James Lillywhite's Cricketers' Companion 1882

18 ) Since tlie tendency 1o run away from the hall is firmly implanted by nature, it can only be overcome by long practice on a smooth wicket, it is very necessary that the wicket be smooth, otherwise the pupil soon dis, covers that to resist nature means getting some ugly knocks on the ribg; while on a good wicket he learns how to play off his legs. If the wicket is really smooth, the right leg may he pegged down and bowled at, at medium pace. In a few months this difficulty will be overcome; but it will take longer than that, unless one precaution has been observed throughout. Till a lad is nearly full-grown lie should play with an under, sized bat. He will in this matter kick against the pricks, because one of the instincts of •‘ hobbledehoyisin” is to imitate manhood. This in. stinct is a dangerous one for many reasons; hut in this case the results of satisfying it are most deplorable. If a man takes a heavy beam in his hands, he finds it easiest to swing it as a long-handled hammer is swung, round to the left; if it is longer than an ordinary bat, he must swing it to the left, or the end will strike the ground. Hence the premature use of a full-sized hat induces what is called the “ pull,” to the exclusion of straight forward play, and of play off the legs, and, indeed, of any play at all, except village-green strokes. Our stripling should, in this way, have now learnt how to face a swift ball, and move his bat in what direction be pleases. It may be said that at this time hard coaching should begin, and progress be expected. In my opinion there is very little more that coaching can do. Any lad with a sense of beauty likes to watch a fine batsman, and I believe that, after be 1ms been taught to stand firm, this is the best thing he can do. He will unconsciously imitate the good strokes, and though a coach may tell him a good deal, it will soon become clear that precept is useless com­ pared with example. There are, however, a few points of such import- ance, and so definite in character, that advice on them must be given, and may perhaps be followed. The first is T he P osition of the L eft L eg . Every one knows that the left leg is advanced in forward play, but very few people realise how far it should be advanced, not only in a straight line forward, but right across to the off-side, when the ball is on the off. This should always be urged in conjunction with the better known precept, “ bring that left shoulder across.” If the left shoulder is made to point towards mid-off, and the left foot advanced close to the pitch of the ball, an immense deal is done towards securing a sound defence. In fact, I would adapt the words of a writer on Whist, describ­ ing the fate of people who have refused to lead trumps when they had five in their hand: “ It has been calculated, that at the present moment there are hundreds upon hundreds of men in the prime of manhood (wandering homeless on the Continent) whose career in cricket has been irretrievably spoiled, whose ambition has been thwarted, and occupation taken from them, and all because they would not bring the left shoulder across when they played forward.” The words in brackets perhaps apply only to the whist players, but the picture is hardly too darkly drawn for the cricketers. Jf this rule were always obeyed, it would be j easy to play several balls, such as bumpers and shooters, better than most people do. Hut there is one particular ball which it is well worth a paragraph to discuss, especially in connection with this maxim of hatting*