CRICKET

Waipa Post, Volume 45, Issue 3253, 10 November 1932, Page 2

CRICKET

ATTRACTION OF THE OUTFIELD

(By NOT OUT)

I Apropos of fielding- it would not be amiss if the writer drew the attention of players to the great importance of this branch of the sport. Particularly is the young player advised to pay attention to this department. Often in the final counting up a man is included in a team mainly on account of his prowess in this direction. Folding -prac-l tice cannot be too highly praised, and this practice can be made quite attriaqtive; the joy of running at full speed with arms outstretched to bring- of a great catch is as keen' as that of getting runs or breaking wickets Smart fielding, too, is appreciated by the public, and it can safely be said that nothing is more enjoyable than to watch a team whose understanding is perfect and whose individual members can retrieve the ball and return it to the wicket-keep-er promptly and on the full. ADVICE TO FIELDSMEN It is a good plan to have some fielding after net practice, doing just a little. the first time and increasing the amount as the hands become harder and more accustomed to the knocks which must inevitably be received. Players should practise returning the ball to the wicket-keep-er, and in this connection it might be stated that the ideal return is one with a low trajectory, which lands in the wicketkeepers hand at the top of the stumps. Should the fieldsman be too far away to be able to achieve this, he should try to throw the ball so that it will land in the wicket-keepers hands in the same position of the first hop. POINTS TO REMEMBER To the player with earnest ambition in the field, I would say: The best way to field the ball is to run in as fast as possible and so to calculate your stride that your left foot (in the cast of a righthander) is alongside the ball as you are about to field it. Pick the ball up, swing the arm back, and you are then in a position to throw without any preliminary "winding up." Always remember that it is much more difficult to field a ball when stationary than when on the- move, the reason being that, when running, you can more easily get into position if the ball takes an unexpected bounce. Also, waiting for the ball to reach you enables the batsman to poach singles and besides that, by moving in a fieldman gives himself a much shorter distance to return the ball to the keeper. SLIP FIELDSMAN The best po(s(itiofn for slfip fieldsman is square on to the batsmam with the feet slightly apart, knees bent, on a similar manner to the wicket-keeper's so that they are within easy reach of the ground. From this position it is easy to spring in any direction without the preliminary movement of bending down. A player who stands

upright cannot get down quickly enough for low balls. CLUES FOR THE BATSMEN When fielding in a match, watch the batsman's feet, as this gives a very good idea of the proposed direction of his stroke. By this means it is possible to be on the move as soon as the ball leaves the bat. Sometimes a batsman "telegraphs" hi s attention of stealing a single, and if he is closely watched this may be prevented and, in some cases a run-out obtained. Always watch the captain and bowler, be ready to move at the slightest sign. It is not wise to advertise the fact that you are moved, and, should the captain have to hold up the game to shift a fieldsman, half the value of his strategy is lost. THROWING IN

Never throw harder than is necessary; if there is no chance of running a man out, do not throw. This, of course, does not apply to the out-field who should alwaj a return and throw as fast and hard as he can. TAKING A CATCH In taking a catch in the outfield hold the hands below the level of the eyes, so that they will give under the impact of the ball. It is also better to have one hand lower than the other, so that a cup effect is secured. POSITION Stay out in preference to too close in; it is easier to run forward than backward. When a skier comes to you, wait until the ball reaches its zenith before moving; then go as fast as possible, so as to b e ready for the ball in plenty of time, steadying yourself before making the catch. When the ball is hit straight to you try to get slightly to one side, it is easier to take this way and the hands give better.

In Conclusion, remember, time spent in perfecting oneself in the field is well spent and the player's value to his side enormously increased thereby.