CHAPTER IV.
BATTING.
AN expert batsman experiences unspeakable pleasure during his innings. Cricketers glory in him, his friends delight in him, and the sweetest smile of his best girl emphasizes his triumph.
Nearly every young American learns base ball before cricket. When he first stands before a wicket, he is almost paralysed by the fear of losing it. Nothing corresponding to it appears upon the diamond. When his wicket has been successfully attacked a few times he is disheartened, and is likely to abandon cricket and return to his first love. This is a critical period in the history of the beginner. But a hint from a cricketer able and willing to explain that the straight ball can be successfully met by the straight bat may open the gate of cricket to him.
"A straight bat" is the technical term for an upright bat, as distinguished from a "cross bat." It should also be explained to all aspirants that the regulation wicket was not constructed for beginners but for expert batsmen. But let us not digress from the blunt "straight bat question," which staggers the "man out," as did the straight ball his wicket. Why can a batsman who wields a "straight bat" make a long stand, and why does the _pg_51.png)
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No. 6―THE LATE BLOCK.
Courage, energy and decision, mark the successful cricketer.
A good excuse is more easily made than a good play.
bowler delight in the man who plays a "cross bat?" The answer is simple. A "cross bat" must of necessity be an imperfect defense for a perpendicular wicket. The minds of many boys seem to be constructed upon the "cross bat" plan, but when they play the upright game of cricket with an upright bat, an upright boy is the likely father an upright man.
Every beginner aspires for the results of batting which are recorded by the scorer, conveniently ignoring the hard work of those who by many patient efforts have reached comparative perfection. But the repeated loss of his wicket will force him to reason out why a straight bat thwarts the bowler's efforts, and why when playing a "cross bat" he has been unconciously reducing his defense in a ratio of four to one. To help this reasoning process let us demonstrate by stating that the batsman's wicket without the bails presents to the bowler a surface of 216 square inches. The batsman who wields a straight bat covers about 120 square inches of the wicket, hands and gloves increasing it to about 130 inches. The "cross bat" presents a defense of only 34 square inches, or one-fourth that of a "straight bat," the hands and gloves ceasing to the part of the defense for a "cross bat." When the legs and pads of the batter are added to the defense, the bowler would seem to have an almost impossible task to "out" the wielder of the "straight bat." Yet the "man out" seldom understands it, for he has not profited by the tremendous mathematical advantage of a "straight bat" over a "cross bat." When this difference is appreciated and acted upon, the lesson of "blocking" has been learned and the batsman may expect scores: for he is ready to hit intelligently.
Each ball is a lesson to the eye of the batsman who has learned to play a "straight bat." The forward block as shown in illustration, must obtain for well pitched balls rising to the bails. The bat must be forwarded to the ball with left shoulder well over it, the bat carried at an angle of about 70°, the eye of the batsman being intently fixed upon it in order to insure against personal accidents. Such action, if prompt, forces the ball forwards towards the bowler. If the ball is met by the bat it strikes the ground at the angle of least resistance, bounds quickly into the field, and a run may result. Having given at length the necessity for the "block" as well as the scientific reasons for the play, we will refer the reader to illustrations Nos. 3, 4, 5 and 6, which show the "forward block," the "half forward block," the "half back block" and the "late block." If the young cricketer will study the attitudes taken by Mr. George Bromhead when making the four characteristic blocks, he will see that each ball must be blocked in a manner appropriate to itself.
Thus far only the defensive use of the bat has been considered. But it is a weapon as well as a shield. The tendency of beginners is to ignore the shield and use the weapon. One of the objects of these pages is to emphasize the shield, thereby perfecting the wield of the weapon, and multiplying the opportunities for its use. Let us close this portion of the chapter on batting with the remark that the defense of the wicket is an absolute necessity. It must be cultivated by beginners and practiced by experts. After it is thoroughly learned, like swimming, it is never forgotten. The batter must also resemble the swimmer in another important point, for the swimmer must continue swimming while in the water, and the batter must continue "blocking" during the rest of his career. The hit is the evidence of successful batting. An opportunity taken. The result hoped for by the batter. As in blocking, well defined principles govern the successful hit, which depends
1st.—Upon its true conception by the batsman.
2nd.—Upon its being properly timed.
3d.—Upon the amount of energy transmitted by the batsman to the ball.
Last but most important, the correct handling of the bat while in contact with the ball.
Hits divide themselves into the natural, which comprise all hits to the "leg," or "on" side of the wicket, and the acquired which include all hits to the "off"side." There are three distinct "leg" hits resulting from striking short pitched, well pitched, and full pitched, balls together with numerous sub-varieties following strikes of leg balls which vary from standard lengths.
1st—The stroke from a "short" or "half volley" leg ball should be to square leg or a little forward of that point, with the bat held at such an angle that the ball will strike the ground twenty or thirty feet from the crease. It is with regret that we observe that this beautiful hit is often elevated into the hands of the nimble fielder.
2nd.—The hit resulting from the well pitched leg ball, which the perfect batsman strikes as it rises, to that part of the field just back of short leg. The appearance of the batsman while making this satisfying hit is illustrated in figure 7.
3d.—The full pitched leg ball can be properly dealt with in at least three ways by the perfect batsman. First, he can drive it to long field if not far to leg. Second, he can wait its arrival to a point between the umpire and himself, strike it on the fly to the rear of that long robed individual, bounding to the ropes. Third, while playing the waiting game an instant longer he may turn his person two-thirds around on his left foot, and strike the ball from the rear to sharp leg.
All natural hits require determination and energy on the part of the batter if good results are expected. Modern cricket does not prepare itself for natural hits. On the contrary the beginner as well as the expert will have few balls delivered to him opportune for these hits. The modern bowler is instructed to force the "off" or unnatural upon the bateman. But during long matches even the best bowlers send up flukes, notwithstanding the elaborate instructions in Chapter 3. Batsmen must therefore understand what is expected of them, and we do not hesitate to say, that the batter who can deal with good bowling can usually make the "loose" show upon the score. Many balls are delivered upon the leg side, from which only the best batsmen can score.
Illustration No. 8, shows Mr. Bromhead preparing to drive a nearly straight ball to the mid-wicket on.
The on drives will always excite the admiration of cricketers. The shoulders, arms and wrists though most prominent promoters of these beautiful hits are assisted by every muscle of the body. They exemplify human energy and force. The upright bat plays the prominent place in this hit, and we must insist that the learner ignores the "cross bat" if he hopes for success.
The perfect batsman plays every ball with a purpose. Illustration No. 9, shows how to play a well _pg_57.png)
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No. 7―THE LEG HIT.
The element of danger is almost eliminated by constant watchfulness.
The mind of a brilliant fielder, extends to the ends of his fingers and toes. pitched ball wending its way towards the leg stump. This ball he robs of all its dangerous tendency by forwarding his bat toward the bowler, carried at an angle of 85, and almost perpendicular. This position presents almost a full blade to the ball, thereby defending his wicket, but also forces it to glance to the short legs.
No. 10, illustrates a safe and easy method of scoring from a ball not far enough off the wicket to risk a leg hit. Guarding the wicket does not enter into the batter's calculations. But he forces the bat, carried at an angle of about 70 degrees against the advancing ball, which rapidly finds its way towards sharp leg. We cannot leave this portion of our chapter until we emphasize the part the shoulders should play in making the natural hits. It is in our judgement to be regretted that the exigincies of the game have largely remanded the shoulder hitter to the back ground; but it must be acknowledged that he is no longer the power in the game he was prior to the period of special "off" bowling. But the best "trundlers" give chances to the shoulder hitter, and when accepted the spectator feels gratified that the science of cricket has been momentarily relaxed. If the muscular power of the batsman be not fully exerted upon the natural hits, we think all good cricketers will agree with us, that safety demands that the ball should be "let alone."
The modern captain instructs his bowlers to give preference to "off" rather than "on" balls, and places his field in accordance. If the bowlers do their full duty, the batter must score from unnatural hits only, if at all.
1st.—He may receive a short pitch "off" ball, which he can drive to mid off, or "cover," or he may "pull it" to "leg" by advancing his right leg towards point, thereby assuming the natural attitude, and acting as if it were a leg ball.
2nd.—The over pitched "off" ball the batsman drives to long field, or over the bowler's head. These "off" balls require little beyond a correct eye and ready hand. But the modern batsman who expects great success must learn to "cut," for the large proportion of balls delivered are best suited for cutting.
There are three distinct varieties of cuts. First, the forward cut. Second, the square off cut. Third, the late cut. Each play resulting from the relative position of the ball to the batsman while he is making the hit. All the cuts are made from rising balls distinctly to the off. When an off ball falls outside of the line of safety for a forward play, the batsman instantly prepares himself for the forward cut. This he does by elevating the bat as in No. 11, at the same moment turning his face towards point, with his right foot somewhat advanced in the same direction, using his left as a pivot. This movement towards the advancing ball enables him to reach the spot it is soon likely to occupy. Then while carrying his bat at an angle of about 70, he suddenly brings it down with a chopping motion until it comes in contact with the ball, which moves rapidly towards the boundary in a line between point and mid-wicket. This hit is illustrated by No. 12. It is effective, as it has a tendency to spread the field forward.
No. 13, illustrates the position of the batter while making the square cut. This hit is made from a ball rising to the off but falling somewhat farther from the line of the wicket than that from which the forward cut is made. Were the batter to stand firm in his position it _pg_61.png)
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No. 8―PREPARED TO DRIVE "ON."
The Cricket Field says with truth: "You won't win by a hitting game if there is no hit in you," and adds in somewhat different language, "the game to carry you through is the game you play best."
would be an impossibility for him to strike this ball, for it must be remembered that it is advancing obliquely towards point, and that it will have moved a considerable distance in that direction by the time it arrives opposite the batsman. But it is his business to move towards the ball, so that he can at least try to hit it. Mahomet must go to the mountain, for it is quite evident that the mountain is rapidly moving away from Mahomet. Having elevated his bat as in No. 11, the batsman takes a long stride with his right foot along the line of the popping crease, then suddenly and forcibly bringing down his bat carried at an angle of 70°, he "cuts" the ball towards point.
The late or back cut is beautiful as well as the safest and most graceful hit in the repertoire of the batsman. But he must posess experience of no mean order to guide the bat to strike the ball, which is moving by him at a double acute angle and usually at a rapid rate; for instead of facing the ball and meeting it with his bat as in the forward and square off cut, he turns his person two-thirds around towards the wicket keeper using his left foot for a pivot. Then he takes a long stride with his right towards short slip, which moves him in the direction of the motion of the bail. While these movements are in progress the batter has elevated his weapon with which he strikes the ball a blow, oblique with its course after it has passed the line of the wicket in the direction of the slips. If the bat is held at an angle of about 50° when it strikes, the ball will rebound from the turf and elude the nimble fielder. The force of the late cut is tremendous, as it combines the power of the shoulder hit with the speed of the ball. The cut is such an effective play that the snick has largely encroached upon it. We do not desire to condemn the tip or snick, for it is a frequent counter, but only desire to warn beginners, not to flatter themselves into the belief that snicks are cuts.
The off bowler has come to stay, and if batters want scores they must cut. Batters are justly proud of their ability to cut, though but comparatively few make a clean hard hit of it. The tap is more usual, while for certain bowling safe and effective. The tap is from the wrist while the cut is a combination of arm, wrist and shoulder. For clean hard cuts the Scotts of Belmont, Lord Hawke and George Patterson may be cited as exponents. The powder behind their cuts is phenominal. The cutting of any of these is a study for experts.
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No. 9―Playing a Well-Pitched Straight Ball on Leg Stump.
John Wisden says on page 25 of his Cricket and How to Play It: "A thoroughly good, active, lively and fearless wicket keeper does more to win matches than almost any man on the field." We wish he had made his remarks more emphatic by omitting the word "almost." We think, if Wisden had spent the last few years in America, and had seen the disastrous effects of reducing that all important position to the rank of an out-fielder, he would have used language quite as emphatic as that found in these pages.