Page:Jubilee Book of Cricket (Second edition, 1897).djvu/278

256 they first come in, and are not used to the light and the wicket.

As far as is consistent with other and more essential requirements, it is a good thing to let the two first-bowlers, and indeed even the change-bowlers, have a choice in the matter of which end they go on. Bowlers often have a distinct feeling that one end or the other is the better for their purposes; and it is as well to humour them on such points, for fancies and feelings often represent facts. Certainly, when there is a slope in the ground—as at Lord's, for instance—a bowler should be put on at the end that admits of the slope helping his break.

There is one more point with regard to first-bowlers. Bowlers fall into two classes, which may be distinguished from one another as first-bowlers and change-bowlers. The former class are those who can keep an end up for some time, and indeed bowl all through an innings if things go well for them. The second class are those who are very likely to get a wicket or two, but, either through lack of steadiness or stamina, or by reason of their style, are better fitted to go on as change-bowlers for a short time.

Curiously enough, there is a kind of cross between the two—a bowler who cannot bowl properly if put on first, but who, if put on as a change, bowls for all the world as though he were by nature a first-bowler. There are also certain bowlers who are quâ bowlers excellent, but who cannot do themselves justice unless they are allowed to start the attack. It seems to put them off their stroke if they cannot begin at the beginning of things. All these idiosyncrasies should be taken into account by a captain in his management of the bowling; but he must never lose sight of the main point, which, is to use his bowling to the best effect with the object of getting the other side out.

Before going on to make some remarks about how to change the bowlers on a side to the best advantage, it may be pardonable to digress shortly on the subject of selecting bowlers for an eleven, representative or otherwise. A side ought to include four absolutely first-rate bowlers of different styles. These are essential. And if it is impossible to find one or two all-round men of sufficient bowling ability, four bowlers must be selected with no reference to anything but their bowling qualifications. It is taken for granted that they are good fields. A common and mistaken idea is, that for an England Eleven the four best bowlers, on performances, should be selected. Now this might easily result in the side comprising four bowlers exactly alike—say,