BROCKWELL ON CRICKET.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XV, Issue I, 6 July 1895, Page 7

BROCKWELL ON CRICKET.

IN the current number of the Windsor Magazine there appears an extremely interesting article entitled ‘Cricket, Hints and Recollections,’ written by Brockwell. The illustrations with which the article is accompanied are profuse, and most instructive and interesting. Young cricketers should, indeed, make a point of reading what Mr Brockwell has to say. A few of the pictures are here reproduced, but more cannot be taken, and those who wish to see the rest must obtain the Magazine. ‘So many men well qualified to give advice to young cricketers have (says the author) written upon the game that it is now difficult to say anything both new and true.

There are many well-settled rules, stated upon indisputable authority, all of which must be followed before success can be attained. But there is one thing needful for these rules to be of any service, one essential preliminary qualification, if the best advice is not to be useless. The beginner must have a love, an enthusiasm for the game. *lt is pleasant to see that this enthusiasm for cricket is very general and widespread, but I do not remember to have seen a more striking instance than one in the fall of 1889, when I had an engagement in South Africa. A match had been arranged for Douglas and Hopetown against Barkley West; the players had driven many miles from outlying districts to the Electric Ground at Kimberley : Miles and I were to be the umpires. ‘ Unluckily the weather was most unkind. The match had no sooner started than down came the rain. But

no one thought of stopping, and apparently no one wanted to stop, save the umpires. The players were soon wet to the skin, but they played on. The ball wasso wet that the bowlers could not get a grip of it. and to aid their efforts they repeatedly wiped it against their shirts, staining them red till they seemed drenched with gore. Even then they kept bowling no-balls, for the puddles round the wicket drove them outside the return crease. It was only when the players had been inveigled into the pavilion by the suggestion that they should take off and wring their shirts that they recognised the impossibility of proceeding.’ So much for recollections. Here is a specimen of the ‘ hints ’ :—• In driving the great thing is to keep the ball

down. To do this it must be met at the pitch, and the hit be made well on top of the ball. Indeed, one should never attempt a diive unless one is certain of meeting the ball at the pitch or half-volley. It is a great advantage to be able to score all round the wicket, a weakness to have only one or two favourite strokes. Mr Stoddart has as many strokes as anyone now playing first-class cricket, and is especially good in front of the stumps.

‘ One caution may be added. The batsman should above all things avoid making up his mind to attempt a particular stroke before the ball is delivered. When it fit delivered, quickness of perception and decision are essential. Indeed the art of judging or “ timing” the ball is the secret of effective as well as pretty play ; but to determine on the stroke before one sees the length and pace of the ball, and what it is likely to do, is to give oneself as a voluntary victim to the bowler.’