HOW TO PLAY AT A LENGTH-BALL A LITTLE WIDE OF THE OFF STUMP
This is a puzzler to a short-armed batsman. I recommend the young batsman to have nothing to do with it. The old hand will, of course, do as he pleases: but I should much wish to be informed in what part of the field he can play it with safety, and make a run.
Beldham would cut at such a ball with a horizontal bat. I once made the remark to him, that I thought it dangerous play: he answered me, 'I always play above the ball.' If he always played above such a ball, it was useless his playing at it at all. Now Beldham must have played from the pitch of the ball, instead of having a sight of it after it had pitched; therefore it could never be a safe hit. He was the only one of a good batter that I ever saw play at such balls.[1]
HOW TO PLAY AT A BALL DROPPED RATHER SHORT OF A LENGTH ON THE OFF-SIDE OF THE WICKET
There are two ways of playing at this ball, and in each I have seen it treated by the best batters.
Old Small, one of the finest batsmen of his own day, or perhaps of any other, always played such balls with an upright bat. He would pass his left foot across the wicket, and this action gave him power and command over the ball. The upper edge of his bat was turned slightly back towards the wicket. The whole motion was performed by the wrist and arms. I never saw any batter who could use the wrist like this admirable old man.
- ↑ Mr. Ward, from his great judgement and experience, as well as from his length of limb, would play this ball gently between the middle wicket and point, and get a run.
