Page:Out-door Games Cricket and Golf (1901).djvu/154

Rh of 4. At the same time the bat would probably be made thicker, and the weight would not be diminished.

Of the suggested reforms, I should anticipate more satisfactory results from this and the change in the l.b.w. rule than from any other. The narrower bat would not tempt men not to hit, but would rather have the contrary effect. It would undoubtedly give the bowlers' good balls a better chance of hitting the wicket or being snicked into short-slip's hands. A really good batsman possessed of a good eye and quick power of wrist would still be able to get runs, though not to the same extent, but the smaller bat would, however, undoubtedly cripple the inferior batsmen—a consummation I humbly think ought to be desired by everybody who has the true interests of the game at heart.

At the risk of repetition it may be well to give a summary of the reasons why reform of the laws and etiquette of the game is absolutely necessary. The easy wicket has made batting so easy that the proper proportion and balance of the game are lost. It is not only the good batsmen who make hundreds and two hundreds: the