Page:Jubilee Book of Cricket (Second edition, 1897).djvu/222

200 getting a run somehow: if he tries to get it off an unsuitable ball he very likely loses his wicket.

One point in which many otherwise excellent cricketers fail is in the matter of judging runs. Every player should take trouble to master the few points to be followed in judging and calling runs. Ignorance of how to run his own runs and to call his partner to run is almost sure to upset a man's batting. A player who is a bad runner, one who does not judge his own runs properly, not only upsets himself, but may very well upset his partner too. Directly two batsmen lose confidence in each other, one of them is almost sure sooner or later to run the other one out. I myself have seen very many instances of runouts due to nothing else than carelessness. And I know what an uncomfortable thing it is to have confidence neither in oneself nor one's partner in judging runs. There are no set rules as to how to run or as to which batsman ought to shout "Yes" or "No," but there are certain points pretty generally accepted and followed. One of these is, that the non-striker calls for the run whenever the ball has been played behind the wicket. When the ball is hit in front of the wicket the striker calls. I am not quite sure how far it is a good thing to have a definite arrangement on this point. Both batsmen have to use plenty of discretion when calling for runs, and they should be thoroughly in touch with one another. I think it is a mistake to believe that after a call has once been made by a player his partner should run and chance all consequences. However, many experienced players and many authoritative writers advocate this unhesitating acceptance of a call. There are one or two things that ought always to be borne in mind. First, not to back up before the ball has left the bowler; secondly, to make a few yards down the pitch as soon as the ball has been delivered, without getting so far from your own wicket as not to be able to return safely should something unexpected happen; thirdly, if you intend calling for a run, call at once, and loudly. Do not start running too wildly, as your partner may want to send you back. Again, in the event of your partner calling you for a run, make up your mind at once what you are going to do, and let him know your decision on the spot loudly and clearly. Two batsmen who know each other well, and also know exactly what they want to do when they see their own stroke or their partner's stroke played, are not likely to get into a muddle. There is no use, and there may be harm, in running past the wickets instead of just grounding the bat within the crease. If you only go as