will prove more favourable to his play than on the other; it may happen also, that upon trying the two, he will perceive the ball to rise better on one side than the other of the wicket. All these things will turn to the young bowler's account, if he play with his head as well as his hands. Besides, changing the side of the wicket is never agreeable to the batsman. A quick eye, with practised observation, will induce the bowler early to detect the weak points in his adversary; let him not neglect this and then regulate his balls accordingly.
A good length-ball now and then pitched a little wide of the off stump, will often turn to great advantage, for it may produce a catch, when a straight one would be stopped with ease.
In his little book upon cricketing, Lambert has laid down some useful instruction on bowling; I cannot, however, approve of his recommending the young player to give a twist to his balls: for, in the first place, there are a hundred chances against his accomplishing the art, and ten hundred in favour of the practice spoiling his bowling altogether. I never perceived any twist in Lambert's own bowling, unless indeed the ground were in his favour. If the young practitioner have once gained a good high delivery, let him never run the risk of losing it; for in this department of the game it is the greatest gift he can possess.
IN PITCHING THE WICKETS
much responsibility lies upon the bowler. The chief art is, to select a situation that will suit your own style of bowling, and at the same time prove disadvantageous to your adversaries; as these two points, however, can rarely be accomplished, you can at all events pitch the wickets in such a manner as to
