MANAGEMENT OF A MATCH
In making a match, you should be careful to stand on higher terms than you have an absolute occasion for; that you may the more easily obtain such as are necessary—keeping in mind the old adage, 'A match well made is half won.'
In pitching the wickets[1] (when it falls to your lot to have the pitching of them), you must be careful to suit your bowling. If you nave one slow, and one fast bowler, pitch your wickets right up and down the wind. A slow bowler can never bowl well with the wind in his face. If your bowling is all fast, and your opponents have a slow bowler, pitch your wickets with a cross wind, that you may in some degree destroy the effect of the slow bowling. If either of your bowlers twist his balls, favour such twist as much as possible by taking care to choose the ground at that spot where the ball should pitch its proper length, a little sloping inwards.
If you go in first, let two of your most safe and steady players be put in, that you may stand a chance of 'milling' the bowling in the early part of the game. And whenever a man is put out, and if the bowling have become loose, put in a resolute hard hitter. Observe also, if two players are well in, and warm with getting runs fast, and one should happen to be put out, that you supply his place immediately, le'st the other become cold and stiff.
When your party takes the field, let your bowlers take full time between their balls; keeping a close field till your opponents begin to hit freely, when you must extend your men as occasion may require.
If the opposite party hold in, and are getting runs too fast, change your worst bowler, being careful at
- ↑ Now the province of the umpires: see copy of the Laws. J. N.
