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 a bowler. Never get too fond of one particular hit. If you do, it will lead you into error; I have known it to occur to the very best batters. Sometimes a good leg-hitter, sometimes a good off-hitter will be getting so partial to his favourite hit, that he will be trying it with straight balls. If bowled out, will say for an excuse, 'I thought it was not straight.' A ball straight for the wicket should be played with an upright full-faced bat, back towards the bowler, with the handle of the bat inclined forward. There is as much room behind the bowler and often more than in any other part of the field.

There is no half-way play at a good ball: it should be played to the extent of your reach forward, so as to smother it, or back as near as you can safely get to your wicket, by that means there is a longer sight from the bound. Never let the ball get you in two minds, if you do, it will cause you to play half-way. Ah, there 's where all the mischief lies. It is caused by an error in judgement, you are deceived as to the spot on which the ball will pitch; that causes the mistake.

In playing forward take the upper part of your body with you, and have the top or left hand placed well on the top side of the handle of your bat, and not too far apart from the other hand; by the handle of the bat being nearer the bowler than the blade (always bearing in mind to keep it straight), the ball will be prevented from rising. If you don't take your body with your arms when playing forward, it is undoing what the other is trying to do. Take care not to get a habit of sinking your body when hitting. It takes away your power, and not only that, but it will cause you to hit under the ball.

Don't strike with all your strength, a man is often out with hitting at a bad ball. For why? he wants to make too much of it, and by hitting past his strength loses precision. It is not always the long swinging hit that drives the furthest. No, it is hitting the ball at the proper time, with a quick or short motion of the