so many struggles occur to save a run, or to put the batsman out, as at the middle wicket; add to which, many catches arise, some from severe hits, others difficult to get at: with the constant movement, therefore, in covering his ground, and closely backing up, the eyes, legs and hands of the middle wicket are never unoccupied. This situation will furnish lively employment for an active young gentleman.
LONG FIELD TO COVER THE MIDDLE WICKET AND POINT
is a situation in which the fieldsman will have many hard balls to stop, and many a one to catch. The first thing he should make himself master of is to play from the pitch of the ball, and the motion of the batsman, so as to get the start of the ball. By so doing he will be enabled to cover many balls that would otherwise pass him; and many catches, difficult in themselves to get at, will become comparatively easy. He must learn to judge the direction in which the batter, by his position and motion, will strike the ball, and whether high or low, hard or gently, and before it is struck, he should be off to meet or cover it. This instruction will apply to either the long or the short field.
The second point of consequence to know is the exact spot where the two runs may be saved, and that where the one run may be prevented. Minute and trifling as these matters may appear, let the young practitioner be assured that he never will be accounted an effective fieldsman till he have made himself master of them. Time in the play and trouble to the wicket-keeper will be spared, and, were no other advantage to arise, these are well worth securing. The following, although a personal anecdote, as it bears upon the present subject, I may be
