Lives in Cricket No 37 - William Clarke

some players Umpires never can be right. Don’t let a man take his place and then be dissatisfied with his decisions, and in lieu of making the game a pleasure and creating a good feeling among all, make it quite the reverse. It is difficult for an Umpire to please both parties, but let each give him credit for good intentions. It is impossible for an Umpire to be always right, but I would always take his decision (if he understands the game), before the opinion of a spectator or of one of the players, for he stands in the best position to judge correctly. It is on those nice points, which create a difference of opinion amongst spectators and the field, that the decision of the Umpire is required. How unjust it is to an Umpire. When he has given his best opinion on some nice point (such as the ball grazing a man’s bat or glove), for the batsman to go away and say he was not out and so create a bad feeling. I said before there are some (and they ought to know better), who never are out, unless the bowler makes the middle stump turn a summerset. Umpires have many points to attend to, they have not a moment to lose; and if they allow the eye to wander to any fresh object, that very moment a nice decision may be wanted, so they should let nothing but Cricket and their immediate duty in the game occupy their minds. In Pitching Wickets I often hear Umpires say ‘it’ll do’, when there is some little object that looks queer at the pitching place. In such case my opinion is it’ll not do. The wicket ought to be altered, till it is a good one. I don’t like those ‘it’ll do’ wickets. They may either spoil the batting or the bowling, and consequently there may be no play in the match. It is better therefore for both sides, that all objections should be removed if possible, by having as good a wicket as can be got on the ground. V Advice to Practice Bowlers You will often see Practice Bowlers bowl away at all players good and bad alike: that should not be. A Practice Bowler ought to bowl according to the batsman’s play. Suppose a Gentleman thinks he should like Cricket, he joins a Club or engages a bowler. Say he has never played; do you think the bowler is justified in knocking down his wicket constantly, or perhaps giving him sundry hits and bruises? No, certainly not. Give him something he can hit to begin with, and that will please him and make him fond of the game, so that he will play again. Then bowl at him according to his improvement. He will so become a player, and perhaps what is of more consequence to cricketing in general, a good supporter of the game. For mind you, it is the Gentleman that makes Cricket by his countenance and support. Besides what’s the merit in bowling out a person who has not learned to play? It don’t add anything to the reputation of the Bowler. While the gentleman may be made so disgusted that he won’t play any more: and so no one left for you to bowl at. In practice it is often the way to pitch wickets anywhere. That is a bad system. You ought to be particular and have a good wicket, if you mean to have a good practice and be of any service to the person you bowl to. On 131 Practical Hints on Cricket