VILLAGE CRICKET 171 



bowlers rests with him, and it is he who must 

 dispose the " fields " in the positions best suited 

 to their peculiar talents. Should Jasper Marling 

 bowl eight consecutive " no-balls," should four 

 of the left-handed " lobs " of 'Erbert Perks (the 

 stableman from the Hall) be hit over the 

 Wesleyan Workmen's Club, while the last ball of 

 the " over " goes skimming through the roof of 

 the Vicar's greenhouse, it ,is for the captain to 

 hint as delicately as possible that a change of 

 bowling would be advisable. When Bill Tur- 

 mats (the umpire's son), who is standing in a 

 trance at " long-leg " among the tall nettles that 

 surround the Jubilee Pump, has on three 

 separate occasions shown a marked disinclina- 

 tion to allow a skied catch to impinge upon his 

 tender palms, it is for the captain to suggest that 

 his position in the deep field might be more 

 suitably occupied by the young Squire, and that 

 Master Turmats should take the latter' s place at 

 " point," where, if a ball comes at all, it will 

 probably not give him time to get out of its way. 

 The captain should, in fact, be a man of strong 

 personality, who can control his team in such a 

 manner as to avoid any undue friction arising 

 from jealousy or disappointed hopes. He must, 

 in a word, inspire perfect confidence, and for this 

 purpose nothing is more valuable than the ability 

 to win the toss for innings. That this feat can 



