CRICKET.

Putaruru Press, Volume IV, Issue 155, 21 October 1926, Page 8

CRICKET.

HOW TO PLAY IT. Choice of Pitch and Gear. (By “ Cover-point.”) I. New Zealanders have not yet acquired what may be called the “ cricket sense.” Though they take to Rugby like a duck takes to water, and a Rugby crowd is highly versed in the fine points of the game, the great summer pastime has yet to “ grip ” our nation as it has Australia, South Africa or England. There appears to be no particular reason why this state of affairs should exist, for our climate and soil lend themselves admirably for pursuit of the cricket ball. There - are signs however that a change is slowly coming about, but no great progress will be made until two handicaps are overcome. The first is the provision of level turf pitches, and the second the provision of coaches for our school boys. MATTING v. TURF.

It may be said that matting pitches are the rule in South Africa, but then it must not be forgotten that suitable grasses will not grow in most parts of that country, yet where they will turf pitches are always laid. When

Archie MacLaren tourned New Zealand he referred to Nelson players as hardly knowing one end of a cricket bat from the other. Our pride was hurt, and the usual “ howl ” raised in the newspapers, but nevertheless this great judge of the game.was light, for was simply stating in extravagant language so that his point would go home, that we lacked the “ cricket sense.” The first requirement then for the game of cricket is a level pitch of suitable width —not less than eight feet. No billiard player would play on a slate table arranged like the slates on a roof of a house, and no cricketer can hope to perfect himself on anything but a pitch which resembles a bowling green. CHEAP GEAR TABOO. When purchasing gear buy the best. Cheap bats and balls are uneconomical, and an abomination in that they mar most of the enjoyment to be derived from the game. The driving power of a good bat is something to be proud of, and the resultant boundary brings a fine sense of elation. With a cheap bat, no matter how exact that timing, or how strong the power behind the stroke, the ball seldom beats the inner-ring of fieldsmen. In fact the batsmen might as well use a piece of turned timber from a timber yard. Similarly, a cheap ball soon looses its shape, and it is hopeless for a young bowler to become proficient in learning to break if “ bumps ” on the ball produce wonderful effects of own. Such balls also damage the bats, to say nothing of the batsmen! The rule therefore should be to always buy the best. SELECTING A BAT. In selecting a bat (or rather gear for that matter) never order by post if it is at all possible to get someone to personally pick out one to suit requirements. Retailers are only human, and it can be taken for granted that of his stock it won’t be the best bats that are sent by post. Always buy a bat which has been made by a well-known firm. Which firm does not matter so much so long as the name is on the bat. Some cricketers profess to have preferences, but there

are other points to note which are more important than this. In this connection, however, it is well to bear in mind that a bat, like a watch on razor, sometimes fails to reach standard, despite the name it bears, and no matter how careful the selection* This, however, is sometimes due to after treatment of which more will be said later. PICKING A “ DRIVER.” All batsmen desire to possess a bat that will “ drive,” and if the following points are carefully noted their desires should; be gratified. Never select a bat that feels heavy. It can safely be stated that most average batsmen use bats that are too heavy. A batsman should be able to handle a bat in rapier-like fashion; if he cannot do so then it is too heavy. Common-sense must be used for what might suit Johnny Walker would be cumbersome to Oily Pettit. It must not be thought that weight gives driving power. It has nothing to do with it. The powerful drive is obtained by correct timing with a wellbalanced bat—that is, a proportion of the weight in the right place. WEIGHT AND GRAIN. A normal weight for a bat is 21b 3 or 4oz. A light bat should be used on a fast wicket, and a heavier one on a slow wicket. Similarly, a batsman who drives to obtain his runs may use a heavier bat than one who obtains the bulk of his score by cuts or leg glances. A bat should be close-grained for preference, though it may not last as long as a broad grained bat, which is made from an older tree. Close-grained bats, however, always drive well, and do not become hard so quickly as the bats made from younger trees. Therefore if a club consists of batsmen, and pays no attention to the care of its bats, the secretary would be well advised to purchase broadgrained bats which are also less | likely to split. Where care and atten- | tion are bestowed bats may be selected with nine or ten straight grains. Once a bat becomes hard it is useless as a “ driver.” Color or stains do not matter, though “ butterfly ” bats are always tough and last longer. Knots should be studied with care, and any bat with a knot on the driving part—that is, two inches from the bottom to fourteen inches up—should be avoided. Bats should be wiped clean after use, and oiled regularly. Never stand in oil, but by means of a rag smear the surface on both sides from just below the splice. Raw linseed oil should be used, and sufficient put on to prevent the bat ecoming dry. Never use a new bat

and a new ball, and never “ slog ” indiscriminately, or even drive, until the bat has been broken in. All bats must be surfaced—that is, hardened. This may be accomplished by play, and by rolling with a stump or office ruler. A crack at right angles on a bat is a certain sign that a hard ball was used before a surface was obtained. All bats are pressed before leaving the factory, and this should be remembered by players who rush to do their own pressing. This is far better done by an old ball at the nets with the aid of an experienced batsman; for as was pointed out before, once a bat becomes hard it is useless as a driver. If the foregoing hints are carried out a player need have no fear in choosing a bat to suit his strength that will drive well. Next week’s article will deal with “ team work,” and “ fielding ” the foundations of the game.