Page:The Crisis in Cricket and the Leg Before Rule (1928).djvu/91

82 1886 is given in Chapter II, and the full report in Wisden of 1888, which last should be read by everybody interested in cricket, as well as the report of the strong Sub-Committee of the M.C.C. appointed early in 1888. After reading these two reports it is amazing to find that nothing has been done for the last forty-two years to legislate on behalf of the bowler, especially by an alteration of the l.b.w. law. Every reason for such legislation that existed in 1886 exists now with more than twice the force that it had in 1886-7-8.

In my humble opinion the artificial preparation of wickets is unfair to the bowlers and should be for­bidden. I think that the experience we had of wickets immediately before the introduction of marling and other artificial preparation, and when bowlers of such pace as Richardson, Woods, Kortright, etc., were in their prime, gives no ground for supposing that naturally prepared wickets would be dangerous. At the same time I have no wish to see dangerous wickets, and it might be wise to refer the whole question to a Committee to go into the whole question and report.

I also am of opinion that the l.b.w. law should be altered so that the effect should be the same as the present law, except that the ball may be pitched anywhere and the part of the person except the hand which prevents the wicket being hit must be between wicket and wicket.

As there is some doubt as to the risk which may exist that modern bowlers of the Root school and many shortleg fields may be too difficult to play with the l.b.w. so altered, it may be wise to limit the law to the offside only, provided