Chapter II: Appendix: Ii.--Laws of the Game 268

LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS.

I.--Waiting for the ball, with the weight balanced almost evenly upon the two feet (which are near together), but rather on the right foot

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II.--Forward play: the bat has been drawn straight up and back (not in a curve) before the stroke

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III.--Playing back: the right foot has retired nearer the wicket, so as to give longer time for seeing the ball. (NOTE.--The bat should be held straight. This photograph was taken before Shrewsbury was in practice)

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IV.--The glide: both feet well back

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V.--Playing back: right foot retired, to give extra time for seeing the ball; weight on right foot. This was Shrewsbury’s stroke when he felt “beaten” by the bowler

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VI.--Playing forward to a ball on the off: the straight bat has passed near and beyond the left foot in a “follow-through.” Notice the fingers, especially the first finger and thumb of the left hand. At the end of the stretch the left arm is fully extended, and the right heel has come off the ground

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VII.--Playing forward to a ball slightly to the leg side: see remarks on previous photograph, and notice the head well over the bat-handle

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VIII.--Playing forward to a straight ball: see remarks on previous photographs

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IX.--Position of hands and fingers at the end of the forward stroke: the left hand has shifted round, the right hand holds the bat with thumb and first finger only

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X.--Preparing to drive with a pull: the left leg is well out so that the bat may get nearer to the pitch of the ball

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XI.--Preparing to pull a short ball: right foot across, so as to help the stroke well round to leg

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XII.--Preparing to pull a short ball: right foot across and well back, so as to make the short ball still shorter

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XIII.--Hook-stroke to leg: both feet well back, but weight on right foot

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XIV.--Cut-drive. Right leg firm and straight, left leg bent and well across

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XV.--The late cut: right foot well across, left leg extended so far as to bring heel off ground

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XVI.--The late cut: right foot well across, left leg extended

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XVII.--The way of running out with fairly long steps, weight should be chiefly on right foot and right leg should be ready to serve as firm pivot

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XVIII.--Abel’s way of running out, with feet interlacing

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XIX.--Turning quickly at the crease after the first run

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XX.--Bowling, third position: bowling arm extended fully forwards and downwards, body facing forwards, back leg fully extended

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XXI.--Bowling, second position: bowling arm extended fully upwards, body coming round with arm

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XXII.--Bowling, first position: bowling arm back and down, body facing sideways, weight on back leg

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XXIII.--One of Hirst’s grips when he bowls: the little finger does not touch the ball, and only the knuckle of the third finger does

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XXIV.--Same grip for right hand bowler

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XXV.--Another of Hirst’s grips: all the fingers touch the ball, the little one only just with its side

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XXVI.--Same grip for right hand bowler

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XXVII.--Bowler waiting for ball to be thrown in: he is standing well back from the wicket

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XXVIII.--Fielding a low ball with one hand: the opposite leg is fully extended

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XXIX.--Fielding, second position: the hand drawn back behind the ear, somewhat further back than most American Baseball fielders prefer

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XXX.--Waiting for a catch: elbows ready to draw back slightly the moment the ball touches the hands

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XXXI.--A one-handed catch: body bent slightly back from the hips

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XXXII.--Fielding a ground ball: no interval left for the ball to get through; body well down to the work

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XXXIII.--A waiting position at point, where there is less foot-work than at most places. It is easier to rise quickly than to stop quickly

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XXXIV.--Preparing to throw in with the high action

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THE CRICKET OF ABEL, HIRST AND SHREWSBURY.