Page:The Cricket Field (1854).djvu/287

Rh avoid the question, the better plan would be not to catch the ball, and disdain to win a match except by good play.

XVIII. "Or, if in striking at the ball, he hit down his wicket."—

"In striking," not in running a notch, however awkwardly.

XIX. "Or, if under pretence of running, or otherwise."

"Or otherwise;" as, for instance, by calling out, purposely to baulk the catcher.

XX. "Or, if the ball be struck, and he wilfully strike it again."

"Wilfully strike it again." This obviously means, when a man blocks a ball, and afterwards hits it away to make runs. A man may hit a ball out of his wicket, or block it hard. The umpire is sole judge of the striker's intention, whether to score or to guard.

This law was, in one memorable instance, applied to the case of T. Warsop, a fine Nottingham player, who, in a match at Sheffield in 1822, as he was running a notch, hit the ball to prevent it coming home to the wicket-keeper's hands. Clarke, who was then playing, thinks the player was properly given out. Certainly he deserved to be out; but old laws do not always fit new offences, however flagrant.