172 THE COMPLETE SPORTSMAN 



be achieved ^^ithout fraud or trickery I am 

 assured by a very keen devotee of village cricket, 

 a well-known A\Titer, of unblemished reputation, 

 deeply honoured and respected by all who know 

 him, who has kindly explained to me the secret 

 which I now propose to pass on to my readers. 



Let us assume that the rival teams are 

 mustered in the bar parlour of the " Bull and 

 Kingfisher " before the game begins. While the 

 pint pots are being replenished for the tenth time 

 the captain of the visitors comes up to you and 

 suggests in a friendly fashion that you and he 

 should toss for the choice of innings. 



" By all means," you heartily reply, fumbling 

 in your pocket just long enough to allow your 

 antagonist time to produce a coin from his o^vn. 



" You cry," he generously exclaims, as he 

 spins his shilling into the air, where it gyrates for 

 a few seconds before finally falling to the ground. 



This is your opportunity. Before the shilling 

 has come to rest you must shout, " The Bird !" in 

 a loud, clear voice. Having done so, walk 

 across to the spot where the coin is now lying, 

 and, after a brief inspection of its exposed 

 surface, add: " Hooray ! we've won the toss !" 

 You can then turn to your rival with a word or 

 two of sympathy, as you break the news to him 

 that you intend your team to bat first. 



It does not in the least matter whether the 



