The Ladies' Guide to Cricket

17 pleased. No one ever is quite satisfied with the decision in PIll’ll crop *. M n s . t HK8TKH ; “ Indeed ! why not? ” Lo\ kh : “ The rule as lo l.h.w. is that the from wicket to wicket, ball must have and that in wicket had not pi tolled straight the umpire's judgment it- would have hit the the batsman’s leg (or some other part of him _y _ ___ A__ inghisbat, hands, gloves, and wrists) intercepted the leather M I I I * g 1 j <1 • / I | f t j I alwa s except- ? n ^ / j . The batsman rarely believes that he was in front of the wicket, and, indeed, it is always a delicate point to decide; and that is why the umpire at tlio bowler’s end places himself in the best possible position to sec without getting behind the bowler s arm.” Miss L istox : “ But why should lie not get behind the bowler’s arm ? L over : “ Because he is then said to be in the batsman’ s Jighi that is, the colour of his coat makes a bad back-ground or the hall to show against. You ladies, unless I mistake, when working at some dark material by candle-light, often make a back-ground of a sheet of white paper, and that is on exactly the same principle. In important matches, white canvas strips are usually erected on poles at a sufficient distance behind the wickets. These strips serve a double purpose ; they are not only a good back-ground for the ball, but also convey a polite hint to the trespassing spectator ; and are a standing reminder of the iniquity of getting into the line of sight. Xo offence is more heinous in the eyes of a cricketer, and none more openly resented, than that of standing behind the bowler’ s arm. The generally-unconscious culprit " quickly assailed with shouts, groans, yells, and motions more out of that! But 1 see 45—4*—11 on the telegraph. Whaler’s life was a short and merry one. l ie compiled his 11 in three hits, a 6, a 4, and a 1, or single, as it is usually termed.” Mas. Ciii;s'i\EH ; “ Who is this active little mn.n is to •oming out from the pavilion, und ‘ next limn’ in, i suppose ? “ That is Boxer, a neat bat, but im- pi Lot, and too anxious to make runs. Xow, watch him taking ‘ y a a r d ' o r ' block.y Kuch batsman ns ho goos i tin precaution, which, in the multitude of details to be ex- p^in.-l, J liaci till now forgotten. You see, Boxer is standing hi the wicket, and i» placing his bat, turned edgo- v t o u r r the umpire, who plunts himself on the spot ir ui hence the bowler delivers the ball. This ho may do from either tide of the wicket, his delivery being accordingly *' [ Ji" ' when the bowler’ s arm w swung over t »• t unpr, or touol the uicket when the arm is swung clear ji ih. atuinjir. 'Jhe umpire now calls leg-off, or middle,