GENERAL REMARKS.
Some cricketers never seem to get beyond the “beginning” period, and
it is in vain to expect anyone to delight in a thing which he cannot
do fairly well. If these lines can convey a hint or two they will
have accomplished a most satisfactory purpose.
Let us for a moment watch a batsman plant himself before the wicket
as though with the determination to stay there the remainder of the
day. His mental purpose becomes his weakness, for no preconceived
idea of what one’s opponent will do is at all likely to occur. The
cricketer is always a creature of circumstances over which he usually
has little or no control, but of which he must be ever ready to take
immediate advantage. We used the words “plant himself” advisedly, for
no other suits. Having planted, a vigorous growth should follow, but
the disappointed spectator sees only a machine cricketer trying to
force hands and wrists to do the duty, which they should but assist
the arms and shoulders in doing. The beauty of the game is sacrificed
to the ounce of precaution, which may have been too much emphasized
by an over careful captain. While the game is in progress cricketers
should be active mentally as well as physically, and they have only
themselves to thank for the erroneous impression which has become
prevalent that cricket is a sleepy game. It is waste of time to play
a pure defensive game, and if the inveterate blocker could waste only
his own time none would have any right to complain, but that of at
least twenty-five others is being sacrificed at the same moment,
until from that and many other delays a game capable of giving
delight has become so little understood, even by American cricketers
themselves that only foreigners can draw a crowd.
The blindness of Americans to their own short comings was illustrated
by their attitude during the recent visit of the Irish Team. The
universal confidence in themselves, was only equalled by the pity
expressed for their visitors who were expected to fall an easy prey
to the representatives of Uncle Sam. Americans have set up a standard
of their own, and many have persuaded themselves to believe in methods
which occasionally succeed, but when the Englishman is at his best
the American has invariably been defeated, excuses taking the place
of good play, which are so generally accepted that American cricket
has temporarily retrograded.
This retrogression has been caused chiefly by ignoring the importance
of the wicket keeper. The star known as the aggressive batter, or
perhaps he had better be called a comet, has turned the heads of
American cricketers. We are all sovereigns, though many of us cannot
show that amount of cash, and why should we not all be star batsmen?
The object is easily accomplished if the wicket keeper can be got rid
of. The attempt has not only been made, but has been actually imposed
upon the American public as cricket; for though wearing the armor
of that great office, he is located ten to fifteen feet behind the
batsman, thereby becoming a fielder; with the tremendious consequence
that first-class wicket keeping is rarely seen in America. But we
have many aggressive batters, who settle down into first-rate bats
when in the presence of a standard wicket keeper. We say most of them,
advisedly, for a star will shine, wicket keeper, or no wicket keeper.
The true aggressive batsman is a combination of cause and effect
which no amount of ambition can even hope to imitate. Brain, guiding
muscle, with discipline resulting from long and patient training. He
can take almost any liberty with the bowler, he can play inside or
outside his crease, for the dangerous ball never reaches the wicket
keeper. But it must be remembered that he is a star. He is the
perfect batsman referred to on several occasions, who hits every
ball which does not threaten his wicket, and many that do. His
powerful physique, eagle eye, and energetic mind have given him
a place beyond his companions. That instinctive knowledge of the
presence of a man immediately behind him who will down his wicket
with a smile of satisfaction, must be forever present in the mind
of the batter. American cricketers may ignore him, but when America
meets her English competitor and hopes for the like convenient
ignorance, she is sure to have her pride injured.
A match is never lost ’till it is won, and the unexpected may at any
time happen, which is a great charm in the game. The disappointment
which follows the fall of wicket after wicket, simply because the
reliable bat has had the misfortune to be bowled, is not easily
described, but we have experienced the keenest anguish when the
catastrophy has happened to our side; while excessive buoyancy
seems to have taken posession of and intoxicated our opponents.
The American audience is so completely bent upon victory that good
cricket is momentarily lost sight of. If cricketers will remember
that superior play ought to be the object, and will forget the result,
these exhibitions of inferior cricket will be fewer. The courage and
nerve which are sure to follow careful training and good discipline,
can and will prepare each batter to depend upon himself, rather than
follow a bad example.
Fielding is too much neglected for the more pleasant occupation
of batting. The net is a useful invention, a tremendous time saver,
thoroughly in accord with other economic devices of the age, but it
has not improved fielding. Fielders should practice their art when
the game is not in progress if they expect success while the eyes of
spectators are concentrated upon a hard hit ball. The silence which
follows faulty fielding is quite as emphatic as the cry of “muff”
or “butter-fingers.” The fielder is always on exhibition in the
proportion of eleven to one batter, so that his opportunities for the
display of either good or bad play are many. If cricketers will bring
to their game the excellent qualities displayed upon the diamond,
theirs will soon be recognized as the popular game. Greater interest
is felt in fine fielding than in brilliant batting by the spectator,
though from a cricketers standpoint a finished batsman will always
be the favorite. There seems no excuse for poor fielding unless to
permit the second-rate bat to score double figures. It is with much
regret that we feel the necessity of dwelling upon this subject at
length, but these hints would be otherwise incomplete. Before closing
we desire to thank Mr. S. V. Merrick, Secretary of the Germantown
Cricket Club, for his kind assistance while these photographs were
being taken at Manheim. The atitudes of Mr. George Bromhead, their
professional cricketer, which illustrates this essay, were made
instanteneously, and wherever possible while bat and ball were in
motion. It may therefore be assumed that for the purpose of either
“beginner” or “expert” these positions are as close to life as it
is possible to secure them.
Illustration: No. 12--MAKING THE FORWARD CUT.
“Play as ‘tall’ as you can.”--_Wisden._
Good bowling surprises the batter by twists, by balls of
different lengths, and balls of varied speed.