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170
THE HAMBLEDON MEN

when two determined runners get in and take every advantage? I am not an advocate for overrunning, for I think men may lose more than they gain by being out of wind, and therefore not so well prepared to play the next ball.

Now you will see some, the harder they hit the more certain they are to run, though the ball be going straight to a man, when if it were hit very slowly they would not attempt it; that speaks badly for their judgement. It should be quite the reverse. The ball hit slowly may be a certain run, while the ball hit with greater force to the same place is not half one; as it gets to the Fielder so much quicker. There are many little advantages to be taken of Fielders, such as the ball going to a man's left or wrong hand, or a man not being able to shy, but always jerking in. These points want judgement: they may be done, and often are done by two decided men, who understand each other, but they will not answer with vacillating men. It is never right to risk your innings for the sake of a run. If your innings is only valued at a run, it is not worth much.


IV. On Matchmaking, Managing, and Umpiring

When playing a match it is not always right to keep on the same bowling, though the bowlers be bowling ever so well. Suppose you have a fast bowler on, a batsman comes in that don't like slow; or the contrary; why, I say give him what he don't like, never mind persons saying, you dare not do this or you dare not do that, if you gain your object by getting the batter out, you may win the match through it. There are plenty of Gentlemen as well as Players, who cannot play both fast and slow. Some would shut their eyes at a fast one, but might perchance swipe away a slow one for four. It 's bad judgement to put a fast bowler at a man who can't hit. Why? he may stick his bat down, the ball may hit it and glide away for three