PLAYING AT LONG FIELD.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVI, Issue 22, 26 January 1935, Page 11 (Supplement)

PLAYING AT LONG FIELD.

"GET UNDERNEATH THE BALL."

By I. F. TOWNSEND

THE ESSENCE OF LONG FIELDING.

NEXT WEEK. □ □ □ A most attractive and interesting page has been arranged for next week, showing, b\) the aid of close-up photographs, the position of the hands for catching hot returns, both high and low.

ABOUT THE ILLUSTRATIONS.

The top left-hand illustration shows me running under a ball in the long field. Note that my hands are already shaped ready for the catch. The centre picture illustrates the next move; I am under the ball waiting for it to come to me. Study the position of my hands, and, in fact, entire body. The catch is completed in illustration No. 14, which again illustrates how I let the ball come to me. The best practice for long-field catching is to get someone to hit balls in the air for you with a bat. This will enable you to get accustomed to sighting the ball and judging its flight. Once the ball goes in the air keep your eye on it until you have made the catch-

□ □ □ The first and most important thing in long fielding is this: When the ball goes up in the air try and get underneath it, no matter how far away it seems. Never worry about saving the four; go for the catch. A fellow that lets the ball bounce in front of him is not worthy of the name cricketer. Have a try, whether you miss the catch or not.