more than we do at the present time, so some one invented pads or shin-protectors, which consisted of two pieces of wood so placed as to guard the legs. The next kind we can trace consisted of several pieces of wood fastened together, and since then they have been gradually improved until the present pads were invented, which consist of rows of wadding or stuffing of some kind with layers of cork and a piece of cane for each row, the whole being covered with leather. At first they were fastened with pieces of tape wound round the leg and tied; then came india-rubber or elastic straps with hooks, and finally the present arrangement of buckle and strap, which meets with general approval. Some makers of the present day have them fastened by loops and a long strap lacing up the back of the leg.
When choosing pads see that they are exactly your size and fit well, for large, heavy, and uncomfortable pads will do as much to tire you out in a long innings as hard hitting. As soon as you begin to feel them loose and shifting, strap them tight again, or they may cause you to be run out.
Batting gloves are of the highest importance, and players should accustom themselves to wear them as soon as they begin to play regular cricket, or very possibly they may have to use them on some important occasion and will feel all abroad when wearing them for the first time. There are some grounds where the pitch is so easy that you rarely find a ball rising higher than the top of the stumps, and you could almost dispense with gloves altogether; but occasionally a ball comes which rises and catches you a whack on the hand, causing a damaged finger which may spoil your cricket and comfort for the rest of the day, or perhaps season. At Lord's and some other grounds not so many years ago fast bumping balls had to be watched very carefully, and knocks on the fingers and body were very frequent. Players then had to use gloves, who at other times went in without them. I am sure it is a mistake not to wear them constantly, and calling for gloves as some players do after getting a nasty knock on the hand or knuckles is like locking
