Page:Encyclopædia Britannica, Ninth Edition, v. 6.djvu/613

CRICKET 579 are more immediately concerned, that being the now universally accepted form. The most radical change that has ever taken place in the development of the game is the introduction of round or straight arm bowling in lieu of the underhand. That the new style was first discovered (about 1785) by Tom Walker, a professional of the old Hambledon Club, is now generally admitted ; but the dogged conservatism of the day pronounced it to be unfair, and successfully repressed the innovation. About 1805 the style was revived by Mr John Willes, a great Kentish amateur. It was not, how ever, until 1825, when Mr G. T. Knight of Alton strenuously took up the cudgels on behalf of the so-called " throwing bowling," that it became a permanent institu tion, and then only after many bickerings and much con troversy. The new style created a great revolution in cricket, as it afforded the bowlers much greater command over their delivery both in strength and in direction. From time to time various other new points have arisen requiring special legislation, and changes have taken place in the mode of conducting the game. Much labour and careful attention are required in laying out a good cricket ground and maintaining the same in proper order. As a general rule the shorter and more level the turf can be got the better. Double wicket requires two sides of eleven players each, the choice of first innings being decided by lot. Two strikers go in, one at .6. .4. .2. 5. a -7 a ./. .12. .8. .9. TT. Diagram of Cricket-field. .10. 5, S, Batsmen. U, U, Umpires. a, a, Popping Creases. b b, Bowling Creates. 1 Bowler. 2. Wicket Keeper. 3. Long Stop. 4. Slip. 6. Point. 6. Long Slip. 7. Cover Point. 8. Mid On (sometimes placed at 12 and termed Mid Off). 9. Long Field Off. 10. Long Field On. 11. Leg. 12. See 8. each wick el-, and the object of the fielders is to dislodge them according to the rules of the game. The other strikers go in by rotation as arranged by their captain. When a ball is hit the striker may, if possible, score a run by reaching the opposite popping crease ere the wicket is put down, each time he successfully traverses the distance between the two popping creases counting as one run. When sufficient time is available each side has two innings, and that scoring the largest number of runs is the winner. Otherwise both sides may agree to decide the issue on the result of one innings apiece, and it is sometimes arranged to allow six. balls in each over, instead of four. At the end of each over, the whole of the outside change their positions ; another bowler delivers an over from the opposite wicket, and so on alternately. A general idea of the position of the players may be formed from the accompanying diagram, but variations take place according to the description of bowling in use. A captain is chosen on each side, who has the entire management of his eleven. In conjunction with the opposing captain he makes the necessary arrangements for the match. He should be a thorough judge of all points of the game, and able to place the field to the best advantage according to the description of the bowling and peculiarities of the striker. Constant practice is necessary to become a good bowler, and obtain such a thorough command of the ball as to vary the pace and pitch as well as to impart twist. The two chief varieties of balls are " lengths " and " not lengths," according as their pitch deceives the striker s eye as much as possible or not. A batsman s first rule is to play with a straight bat, as he thereby gains most protection for his stumps ; and he should make the most of his stature. Batting is divided into " forward " and " back play," according as the batsman stretches forward to meet the ball, or keeps the body perpendicular or slightly inclined backwards. The fielders should ever be on the alert, their business being to stop or catch the ball, and return it to one of the wickets with all possible haste. For further details of each player s duties and full instructions how to play the game correctly, we must refer our readers to the Rev. James Pycroft s excellent work, The Cricket Field. Single wicket is sufficiently explained by the laws, the only material difference being that the batsman has to reach the bowling stump and return to the popping crease a distance of 44 yards in place of 22 yards for every run he scores. The laws oif the game as now constituted by the Marylebone Cricket Club are as follows ; 1. The ball must weigh not less than 5 nor more than 5| ounces. It must measure not less than 9 nor more than 9| inches in circumference. At the beginning of each innings, either party may call for a new ball. 2. The bat must not exceed 4J inches in the widest part ; it must not be more than 38 inches in length. 3. The stumps must be 3 in number, 27 inches out of the ground ; the bails 8 inches in length ; the stumps of equal and of sufficient thickness to prevent the ball from passing through. 4. The bowling crease must be in a line with the stumps, and 6 feet 8 inches in length, the stumps in the centre, with a return crease at each end towards the bowler at right angles. 5. The popping crease must be 4 feet from the wicket, and parallel to it, unlimited in length, but not shorter than the bowl ing crease. 6. The wickets must be pitched opposite to each other by the umpires, at the distance of 22 yards. 7. It shall not be lawful for either party during the match, wiih- out the consent of the other, to alter the ground by rolling, water ing, covering, mowing, or beating, except at the commencement of each innings, when the ground shall be swept and rolled unless the next side going in object to it. This rule is not meant to prevent the striker from beating the ground with his bat near to the spot where he stands during the innings, nor to prevent the bowler from filling up holes with saw-dust, &c., when the ground shall be wet. 8. After rain the wickets may be changed with the consent of both parties. 9. The bowler shall deliver the ball with one foot on the ground behind the bowling-crease, and within the return crease, and shall bowl one over before he change wickets, which he shall be permitted to do twice in the same innings, and no bowler shall bowl more than two overs in succession. 10. The ball must be bowled. If thrown or jerked the umpire shall call "no ball." 11. The bowler may require the striker at the wicket from which he is bowling to stand on that side of it which he may direct. 12. If the bowler shall toss the ball over the striker s head, or bowl it so wide that, in the opinion of the umpire, it shall not be fairly within the reach of the batsman, he shall adjudge one run to the party receiving the innings, either with or without an appeal, which shall be put down to the score of wide balls ; such ball shall

not be reckoned as one of the four balls ; but if the batsman skaU