Page:Jubilee Book of Cricket (Second edition, 1897).djvu/108

86 of view of a batsman who knows how to utilise the opportunity. Fast bowlers occasionally get wickets under such conditions through the pace with which their deliveries come from the pitch; but as they depend upon stance and, perhaps, grip of the ball more than medium or slow bowlers, the latter are generally more useful when there is any wet on the surface of the pitch. Whenever the wicket favours run-getting, good length tells above all else, especially if supplemented by skilful change of pace and pitch.

There are wickets of an intermediate sort which cannot be said to be distinctly to the advantage of either party. On such the bowler should try every device he can think of. Remember that when things in general are on the batsman's side, nothing but good length can be consistently successful, though occasionally, when two batsmen are set and seem to require "lined-ferrets and a spade to get them out," it pays to put on the wildest and worst bowler on the side. When things look really black, a captain would often do well to ask his stiffest comrade to bowl, and to tell his fieldsmen to scatter where they like. However unorthodox and unscientific such proceedings would be, they might be successful; for there is nothing like a change of some sort, and the more pronounced it is the better.

The "fiery" wicket has been included among those that favour the bowler, in spite of the fact that many large scores have been compiled upon such. At any rate, there is something to be done with the ball when, though apparently sound and true, the wicket has fire in it. The ball bumps and rises quickly; hence catches at the wicket or in the slips. Often, too, a good deal of break can be put on. Fast bowlers are generally very effective on wickets of this kind.

"Crumbling" results either from the nature of the turf and soil or from the wear and tear of long inningses. When the pitch looks cracked and dust begins to fly, the bowler's heart rejoices. Often a wicket that has been perfect, hitherto, suddenly goes wrong in the fourth innings of a match because rough usage has made the turf ragged and loose. All capable bowlers can make wonderfully good use of such wickets; but perhaps medium-pace and slow bowlers have a slight advantage over fast bowlers, as the latter are more liable to be snicked and mis-hit without the ball going to hand. The ball can be made to break extraordinarily and very quickly; it is apt both to bump and keep low. Batsmen have an uncomfortable time of it. Turner, "the Terror," and George Lohmann simply revel in such wickets.