Page:Cricket (Steel, Lyttelton).djvu/423

Rh 1887 was one of the hottest seasons I ever played through, but only once did I change my cap for a hat with a large brim. Hats are very apt to fall off; caps rarely do so if they are made to fit properly. Many cricketers never wear any covering on their heads. Mr. A. N. Hornby and Mr. Frank Townsend have always played bare-headed, and seem to revel in it whatever may be the state of the weather. Most of the leading clubs and counties have a distinguishing colour of their own, and cricketers generally wear caps made of this colour.

Jackets and jerseys, or 'sweaters,' as they are commonly called, have their place in the outfit of a cricketer. A jacket on a hot day is useful when one is not actually engaged in the game; special attention should be given to its colour and pattern—very often it is made of the same flannel and shade as the cap, and when well chosen forms a very pleasing contrast to the white of the trousers. It can be used when fielding, but certainly not when batting or bowling. A jersey or sweater is preferable; it fits closer to the body, is much pleasanter, and in the field on a very cold day it helps to keep you warm, which is necessary for smartness and comfort. It is bad enough at times to watch a series of maiden overs and only get the crossing over between them for exercise, but when you add to that the sensation of shivering from insufficient clothing, then you have a very unhappy situation indeed. You must exercise judgment in the use of a jersey when batting or bowling, for the warmth it affords will be more than counterbalanced by the hindrance to freedom of arms and wrists. I have worn one in very cold weather when first going in to bat or going on to bowl, but have discarded it after an over or two. Always carry it in your bag, for a hot and fine morning may be followed by a cold or wet afternoon.

Experienced cricketers know that the most trying thing during the season is to keep the feet from getting sore and blistered; if they become so, much of the pleasure of the game is gone; therefore everyone who wishes to be comfortable