ART OF CRICKET.

Hokitika Guardian, 11 March 1924, Page 4

ART OF CRICKET.

ADVICE TO BATSMEN, BOWLERS AND FIELDERS. WELLINGTON", March 7. “Practice hard, constantly and conscientiously all departments of the game.” This is Mr C. 0. Macartney's advice to voting cricketers, the New South Wales captain, in an address at the Y.M.C.A. last evening) pave a largo gathering of cricketers a whole host ol tips, which, if put into practice, will bring New Zealand'into the tore!rout

of cricketing nations. One could always tell a cricketer, remarked Mr Macartney, by his tidy appearance. No man who took the game seriously played it in a slovenly manner. One's dress should he neat and tidy. Bootlaces should he done up firmly and tho pad straps should not be overlapping. Another thing, batsmen should always wear a glove. Ihe speaker summed the position up by quoting the famous Alex Bannerman. who said. “If you can’t be a cricketer at least look like one.” ROAD TO SUCCESS. The only way in which a cricketer could make a name for himself was to practise hard on good wickets. When the Australians were preparing to play Englishmen for the rubber they practically had to take three months’ leave of absence from work to attune themselves up for the big game. They had to concentrate every ounce of their ability, both mentally and physically. Still, when one thought what a glorious game cricket was, one thought it well worth while. The. speaker considered that cricket was perhaps the finest game known. Every man had to play the game in the proper spirit, and if he were inclined to cheat there were always twent.v-ono other players to check him. The umpires also kept a watchful eye on the game, and Mr Macartney had never known a ease in which an umpire had wilfully made a mistake.

ADVICE TO BATSMEN. Turning to the subject of hatting the N.S.AV. captain saiil that when

a man was at the crease lie required confidence and when, ho faced the bonier he should have a comfortable and easy stand. I'uLil the stroke was about to ho made the muscles should he relaxed, lie had noticed that a certain New Zealand player in the first lest was continually moving Ins but am! feet while the bowler was taking his run, and the speaker thought- that this practice was very tiring and should be cut out il possible. Every man had his individual strokes, and he could easily multiply them by watching good batsmen. If is team were only too pleased to give any player advice on any department of the game, and lie asked any player who was willing to learn to go up to any member ol the team and question him. For instance, a player might like to know how Andrews played a certain shot or how Alai ley bowled the

googly. DOMINION NEEDS BOWLERS. Referring to howling, Mr Macartney saiil that nearly all countries were weak in bowling at the present time, but New Zealand was especially so. lie stressed the all importance of length and direction, and advised young players not to attempt swings, swerves, or spins until they commanded these two essentials. He considered. however, that the off-break bowler was more dangerous than the swinger or the swenvr. MOST IMBOKTANT BART OF OAM E. There was little doubt that fielding was the most important department, ol the game. Here again hard practice was required. In Canterbury Mclieth and Cunningham bowled practically the whole time, and the field made their work doubly bard by their erratic returns to the wicket. These bowlers had lo stop ail kinds of returns and at the close of the day’s play had sure hands and tired backs. Ill" wicketkeeper also required to be assisted by good returns.

The speaker thought that slip fielders would be well advised to use the “cradle” at practice, and abo study the methods of Alailey and Hendry.