Lives in Cricket No 37 - William Clarke

a good ground he will have confidence and pleasure, all the balls will be playable; on the contrary if the ground is rough, the balls will cut about, he will be hit and lose his confidence and his play. Not half the balls will be playable, so that half the time will be lost. Therefore there ought to be a good wicket. The roller should always be run over the ground at the pitch of the ball before commencing practice, it’s well worth ten minutes patience to get good Cricket instead of bad. I recommend Practice Bowlers to take a little pains with their batting and also to study the science of the game, for they will then be good men to be engaged, even if their bowling is not quite tip top. Clubs it is true when first established usually begin by applying for a first rate bowler. But I think that that is a mistaken notion. Let them begin with a moderate bowler, who is a pretty good bat. The bowling will be quite good enough, while by having one who can bat, they will, by seeing him in now and then, catch the idea and learn to play in a correct method. More can be taught in a week by shewing the manner of play, than by months of talking. Another consideration for Clubs may be that such men are not so expensive. VI The Conclusion Cricket is a noble, manly and athletic game. It adds vigour and health to the whole frame. It is now established so strongly as a national game, that it will never be forgotten. I think I may fairly say that I Zingari and the All-England Eleven have contributed much to establish the good feeling that now exists towards Cricket and Cricketers in all parts of the kingdom, by shewing the science as well as the true spirit of the game, that is by playing with all their skill and determination to beat their opponents and at the same time to be the best of friends with them. Their system allows them to play in all parts of the kingdom more than any other Club, and wherever they have once been I believe they are always welcome again. These matches bring all classes together; men of all shades congregate, folks of all ages meet, if they can’t join in the game, they can take a delight in seeing their relations or friends excelling others. The wealthy and great derive advantage from them as well as those inferior in station: they have an opportunity of seeing that there is good sense as well as good dispositions amongst their poorer neighbours, while these gain by mixing in better society an improvement in manners and morals. Sir, I have gone rather minutely into different parts of the game, to some I may have been tedious, but as I had never read a book where these different points of the game had been sufficiently explained, I determined at your request to try my hand. It’s my first attempt and probably the last. If it was making a match or playing it I should be more at home. Take the will then for the deed, and I only hope I shall live to see some who have profited by my remarks. I now conclude, Sir, and hoping that we (I mean you, I and our readers), may all meet in the field in this and future years, I remain, Sir, Your obedient Servant, Wm Clark. 132 Practical Hints on Cricket