John and James Lillywhite's Cricketers' Companion 1882

21 the un parallel led satisfaction o f anticipating the bowler’s most dangerous, most curly ball, and driving it between the country fields for tour. Whatever view is taken on the above question, it is one on which advice should be given. Schoolboys are generally encouraged to run out to lobs and since the ditliculty they find in doing so arises from nervous­ ness, it would o f course be unwise to make them try it against slow round-hand till they are matured batsmen. A good coach will be very chary about telling boys to run out, because they are sure to do it badly. And here, I should say, the duties of a coach end. He may perhaps do some good by showing* the correct way to hit to leg and play forward, viz., in both cases by advancing the left leg. Again, play off the legs can be taught, though it is hard to say how. Authorities agree in referring the unusually powerful stroke of the Uppingham batsmen to II. II. S tephenson ’ s teaching. 1 strongly suspect it was his example more than his words, but it is possible to learn something about a stroke, and then by practice without a ball, indoors, or anywhere and at any time, to work it up. In conclusion, then, I will briefly describe the most scientific stroke in the game, T he C ut with a V ertical B at . The beauty of this stroke lies in the ease with which the ball is propelled to the ropes, and its value in the fact that it is the on ly effective method o f dealing with a very common ball. Mr. W . G. G race is o f course thoroughly familiar with it, and by careful observation of his play fhe nature o f the stroke may be understood. The ball which demands this particular treatment is a good length ball two or three inches off the off-stump. It is seen to best advantage off* fast right-hand bowling, but if the ground is in respectable condition, the spectators are not denied the sight of it even against bowlers like B ates and W oof . When the stroke is being made, the force apparently comes entirely from the wrist. This is not so. The wrist has a partner in the shape of the right leg, and the share the partner takes in the transaction is a fo llow s :—As the bowler’s arm is finishing its swing, or a little later, unless he is very fast, the left leg is advanced so as to be ready for any kind o f hall. Should the ball he far up, a drive is made, by merely bringing the foot on to the ground at the same moment that the bat “ lunges ” forward. Provision can also be made for a ball on the legs or outside, but when it is a question of a cut behind point, nearly all batsmen feel the necessity of employing the right leg. Accordingly, the left foot is brought down, and the body balanced for a moment on it, while the right foot is raised and moved backwards very slightly, in the direction o f third man. Then, at the moment the ball pitches, it is brought down with a kind o f stamp, the left leg being lifted, and the wrists give their indescribable twist, and away goes the ball. The security of the stroke, as well as its force, depends upon this action o f the right leg. Should the ball break in, the foot is brought back to its original position, and the balance maintained. Should it go further away to the off than the batsman at first supposed, he is at liberty, up to the last moment, to bring the leg down nearer to the line o f the ball, so as to prevent the bat from beginning its upward swing, and so sending a catch to third man. It is, however, attended with this danger. The swing of the hat should he that o f a pendulum (of course very quick) and at right angles to the line o f the b a l l : thus