Page:Cricket, by WG Grace.djvu/15

 It will be seen that the match was closely contested, and the long-stopping exceptionally good. Only 3 byes were scored in the whole match, and those were in the last innings of Kent.

Up to 1700, and for some years after, the stumps were two in number, one foot high and two feet wide, surmounted with a bail. Between the stumps a hole was cut in the ground, large enough to contain the ball and the butt-end of the bat. In running, the striker was required to put his bat into the hole to score a notch; and the wicket-keeper had to place the ball in the hole before he could run the striker out. Wicket-keeper and bowler had many severe knocks on the hand from the bat; and the present mode of placing the bat inside the crease was substituted, and in force in the match I have given.

The following have been the changes in the size of the wicket:

There has been no change in the laws respecting the size of the wicket since 1817; but in the Gentlemen v. Players' match in 1837 the Players by arrangement had to defend wickets 36 ins. by 12 ins.

The distance between the wickets has been always twenty-two yards. All bowling was underhand, and of very indifferent quality; pace without length was the aim of everyone.

The strongest club at this stage of the game was undoubtedly the Hambledon Club, in Hampshire, holding a position somewhat similar to the M.C.C. to-day. It was formed in the year 1750, and held its