the wicket, and parallel to it: unlimited in length, but not shorter than the bowling crease,—unlimited in this sense that it shall not be said the runner is out because he ran round his ground.
The bowling crease is limited; because, otherwise, the batsman never could take guard; and umpires should be very careful to call "No Ball," if the bowler bowls outside the return crease.
The return, or crease, is not limited; because it is against a batsman's interest to run wide of his wicket; and a little latitude is requisite to prevent dangerous collision with the wicket-keeper.
VI. The wickets. Secretaries should provide a rule, or frame, consisting of two wooden measures, six feet eight inches long, and four feet apart, and parallel. Then, with a chain of twenty-two yards, the relative positions of the two wickets may be accurately determined.
IX. The bowler. "One foot on the ground." No man can deliver a ball with the foot not touching the ground in the full swing of bowling. So, if the foot is over the crease, there is no doubt of its being on the ground.
X. The ball must be bowled: "not thrown or jerked:" here there is not a word about "touching the side with the arm." It is left to the umpire to decide what is a jerk. We once heard an umpire asked, how could you make that out to be a jerk?
