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20 benefit yourself. On this head I would refer the young artist to that portion of this little work, in The Cricketers of my Time where the practice of the two most celebrated old bowlers, and  in pitching their wickets, is described, and commented on.

It is the duty of the bowler to be the wicket-keeper at his own wicket, during the intervals of his bowling. He will have many balls to stop in the field, and many a struggle will ensue between him and the batsman, one to get the run, and the other to save it.

I shall conclude this article by recapitulating the chief requisites in a bowler. In beginning to run, start gently, and increase your pace till the ball be delivered. Fix your eye on the spot where you wish the ball to pitch, keep your body upright, deliver your ball high, pitch a good length, straight to the off stump; practise these points, succeed in them all, and you will be a first-rate bowler.

Place both hands on the middle of the handle of the bat, near to each other, yet not so as to touch. The young player will find this simple direction of the utmost importance; for, in the course of my experience, I have noticed many instances of failure in batters, from their ignorance of, or inattention to, this valuable rule, and who would otherwise have become very promising players. Let the learner make the trial of the two modes of holding his bat, and he will prove that when the hands are placed far apart, the one will act against the other, and that his playing will be feeble.