nearer to his side than to the point of the bat, because it affords better play for his right hand.
For the position of his body, I refer to the instructions already given to the wicket-keeper and point.
As the balls usually come from the bat to the slip with considerable swiftness, this fieldsman should be perpetually on his guard.
Whenever the wicket-keeper is compelled to leave his station, the slip should move up and supply his place till he returns.
In backing up, the slip should come next to the wicket-keeper.
THE LONG SLIP
is generally placed between the short slip and point, and near enough to save the run. I should prefer, however, his standing nearly behind the short slip, on account of the balls twisting; for, if the ball be struck to his right hand, he will surely find it twist to his left. This is a station of great difficulty in fast bowling.
THE MIDDLE WICKET
should stand on the off-side, not more than eleven yards from the bowler's wicket, or more than twentytwo from the batsman's.
That this situation may be well filled, a person of more than common activity will be required; one who, judging from the motion of the bat, will start into action before the ball is hit: one with a quick movement of the arm in throwing, and a steady hand to return the ball into the wicket-keeper's hands at the top of the stumps. To be quick and steady are two most valuable qualifications in a fieldsman—and, indeed, in which of our worldly callings are they not valuable? There is no place in the whole field where
