Page:Jubilee Book of Cricket (Second edition, 1897).djvu/224

202 far as the crease you save time, and are less liable to take your attention off the ball. It is very common for players to rush towards the other wicket and pass several yards beyond it. Many a chance of stealing a second run is lost in this way, for it is impossible to take advantage of a slight overthrow or a piece of misfielding unless both batsmen are ready to start and have not more than 20 yards to go. It is important for each of the batsmen to keep his own side of the wicket when running—that is to say, there must be a mutual understanding between them, so that any chance of a collision is obviated. Remember, on no account should you run down the pitch—that is to say, on any part of the ground where the ball is likely to be pitched by the bowler. If you do, you simply cut up the turf and spoil the pitch for the rest of your team. There are stories told of various occasions on which batsmen, after their side had gained a considerable advantage, deliberately tried to cut up the pitch with a view to helping their bowlers. This is quite contrary to the proper spirit of cricket. Such occurrences should of course be impossible in first-class cricket. A batsman who is nearing his 50 or his 100 often risks the most ridiculous runs. He often attempts runs which ordinarily he would not look at. There is naturally a great charm in reaching 50 or 100. But a batsman has no right to risk his own or his partner's wicket for the sake of one run. The institution of talent-money has cost many a professional his wicket in county cricket. Most counties give their representatives a sovereign for every 50 runs they make. Naturally this makes them all the more anxious when they approach the required totals. That sovereign causes innumerable run-outs and rash strokes. It should be remembered that the sacrifice of one wicket may mean the loss of a match, and no one has a right to risk the match even to get a sovereign. It would be far better if the club authorities entirely altered their procedure. Talent-money should be distributed by no fixed rules, and quite independently of round figures. Performances of real merit, whether 30, 40, or 50 runs be got, should be recognised and encouraged. If this were done, most of the bustling for that odd run or two would disappear. There is a maxim, "Always run for a catch." This requires some qualifying, for no run ought to be attempted unless it is a safe one. The point in the maxim is, that it is a mistake to stand looking on when the ball is in the air if there is time for a run: it does not mean that one should play a hard stroke into mid-offs hands, and immediately leg it down the pitch. One more word as to running. There are times when