VILLAGE CRICKET 177 



assured of this fact by the worthy Anglican 

 prelate, whose mission it was to enlighten them.) 

 On the occasion of this match I unfortunately 

 forgot that the pocket in which I secreted my 

 little umpire's hoard of coins was already occu- 

 pied by a certain number of loose pennies which 

 I habitually kept there for the purpose of tipping 

 taxi-drivers. It was not until a High Church 

 bowler had sent down eighteen consecutive balls 

 and the crowd began to " barrack " us that I 

 realized that my supply of copper coinage would 

 outlive the patience of the public, and hastily 

 shouted " Over !" just as the indignant populace 

 began to set fire to the pavilion. 



The conduct of the batsman upon a humble 

 village c,ricket ground differs in but the smallest 

 particulars from that of his brother batsman at 

 Lord's or the Oval. Unless, however, he wishes 

 to acquire a reputation for pride and vain- 

 gioriousness, which he will find it difficult to 

 live up to, he should be very careful never to 

 appear at the wicket attired in more than one 

 pad. If he conscientiously finds it necessary 

 to protect his fingers from a fast bowler he may 

 also wear one glove, but it must be a left hand 

 glove and should be worn on the right hand. 



12 



