Page:The Hambledon Men (1907).djvu/70

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34
THE HAMBLEDON MEN

LONG FIELD, STRAIGHT ON,

should stand at some distance out from the bowler's wicket, to save the two runs. When the bowling can be depended on, and the hitting is not severe, he may be brought in to save the one run.


LONG FIELD TO THE HIP

The fieldsman must stand out to save two runs opposite to the popping-crease. Every person who takes the long field should be able to throw well, to run well, and he should begin to run before the ball is struck: this, in the language of Cricket, is called 'getting the start of the ball'.

As in the instance of the two formerly named players, this fieldsman is frequently moved in to save the one run.


THE LONG STOP

holds a most important station in the game of cricket. His appointment is behind the wicket-keeper, and he should stand in, so as to save the one run.

When the ball does not come to his hand with a fair bound, he must go down upon his right knee with his hands before him; then, in case these should miss it, his body will form a bulwark and arrest its farther progress.

In addition to this duty, he is required to cover many slips from the bat, both to the leg and the off-side. It is requisite that he should learn to throw with a quick action to the top of the wicket.


SHORT SLIP

The situation for the slip is between the wicket-keeper and point of the bat, and at a rather greater distance from the wicket than the wicket-keeper, yet