each fieldsman distinctly, and by so doing putting the striker upon his guard, the alteration and exact position of each fieldsman is effected in perfect silence. This motion of the hand cannot, of course, be executed with effect, without the proper attention on the part of the fieldsmen; each one therefore, upon arriving at his appointed place, should turn his eyes towards the wicket-keeper, to discover if he be satisfied with his exact situation.
For instance: suppose the fieldsman to be standing out to the hip, for the purpose of saving two runs, and the wicket-keeper draw him in by a motion of his hand, to save the one run, the chance is that the striker will not be aware of this precaution on his part, and will suffer in consequence. I have frequently witnessed the advantage of this provision on the part of the wicket-keeper by the striker being out. The bowler, on the contrary, should never give any motion or signal to the fieldsmen; for being placed opposite to the striker, his intention cannot fail of being observed, and frustrated by him. He will have no difficulty in communicating his opinion to the wicket-keeper, and indeed, he may frequently have occasion to do this, for he must always have the superior advantage of noticing the capabilities of the batter, and may make his suggestions accordingly. The short-fieldsmen may also do the same; leaving the wicket-keeper, however, to the full exercise of his judgement and discretion; for no interference between the fieldsmen and wicket-keeper can ever be allowed.
The young wicket-keeper will therefore see the necessity of his knowing the exact position that each man in the field should occupy. I need not observe that slow bowling will require a very different arrangement of the field from fast bowling: in the
