obliged, when the ball was thrown in, to place it in this hole before the adversary could reach it with his bat. Many severe injuries of the hands were the consequence of this regulation; the present mode of touching the popping-crease was therefore substituted for it. At the same period the wickets were increased to twenty-two inches in height, and six inches in breadth, and, instead of the old custom of placing the ball in the hole, the wicket-keeper was required to put the wicket down, having the ball in his hand.
The following account of a match played in the year 1746 has been selected by the writer above mentioned, in order to show the state of play at that time. It arose from a challenge given by Lord John Sackville, on the part of the County of Kent, to play All England; and it proved to be a well-contested match, as will appear from the manner in which the players kept the field. The hitting, however, could neither have been of a high character nor indeed safe, as may be gathered from the figure of the bat at that time—which was similar to an old-fashioned dinner-knife—curved at the back, and sweeping in the form of a volute at the front and end. With such a bat, the system must have been all for hitting; it would be barely possible to block: and when the practice of bowling length- balls was introduced, and which gave the bowler so great an advantage in the game, it became absolutely necessary to change the form of the bat, in order that the striker might be able to keep pace with the improvement. It was therefore made straight in the pod; in consequence of which, a total revolution, it may be said a reformation too, ensued in the style of play.
The following is a record of the match alluded to.
