Page:A "Bawl" for American Cricket.djvu/42

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26
BOWLING.

art of slows, the chances are all in favor of his also becoming a good fast bowler. No eleven is perfect with only slow bowlers. Batters must be worried by fast as well as slow balls. But let every bowler whose ambition is to attain speed, recollect that accurate slows are the fore-runners of speedy balls.

3d.—The slow bowler having mastered the pitch or length must practice twists or spins by which he endeavors to deceive the batsman. These must be performed with such ease that mind and body simultaneously act, the ball rotating upon its own axis, with such force that when it leaves the ground it no longer continues in its apparent direction, but rising abruptly according to the bowler's desire passes the astonished batsman into the wicket.

4th.—An easy elegant style of bowling is attained with less fatigue than a slouchy one. Some men will start ten yards behind the bowler's crease, rush at it as though preparing for a somersault, come to a halt to deliver a disappointing ball. The fault here lies in the misconception of the bowler. He has not studied cause and effect, nor has he studied his own powers. These must not be squandered upon an over or two, but must be husbanded for a long day's work.

5th.—Place the ball as near the batsman as possible without its becoming a full ball, should such a ball strike slightly to leg, all the chances are in favor of its working between legs and bat into the wicket.

6th.—The objects of attack are the wickets of the enemy. Straight balls only can take wickets. The bowler of such balls is likely to be in demand. He is sure to force a defensive opposition, of which a good captain can take advantage.