to the bowler; who, when he sees a man coming in that he knows will stop all his length-balls with ease, is always in a degree disheartened. He has no affection for such a customer. Besides, in this accomplishment lies the distinction between the scientific player and the random batsman.
HOW TO STOP A SHOOTING BALL DROPPED SHORT OF A LENGTH
When you see the ball shoot, play the bat back as near to the wicket as possible, taking care not to knock it down. This backward movement will give you a better sight of the ball, and more time for stopping it. The only difficulty is to be soon enough; for, if you are not quick, the wicket will be down before your bat is.
HOW TO STOP A BALL DROPPED RATHER SHORT OF A LENGTH, AND WHICH RISES AS HIGH AS THE BAIL
This ball must also be played behind the popping-crease. The bat must be lifted from the ground high enough to play above the ball, and so as to prevent its being caught. It should also be held in the same position as when stopping a length ball on the ground. Let me again caution the young batsman to turn up his left elbow, as he cannot well perform the motion here required without doing so. If the ball should rise higher than the wicket, let it pass, by removing your bat. My reason for giving this advice, is, that if the man, placed at the point, understand the game, he will get in close to the player while he is raising his bat; and will, in all probability, catch him out.
