VILLAGE CRICKET 179 



tions are completed he should walk slowly up 

 the pitch, carefully levelling any uneven portions 

 of the ground, rooting out plantains, removing 

 stones, and patting the sward with his bat 

 wherever he deems such treatment necessary. 

 Then, glancing round to see where the various 

 " fields " are stationed, he should moisten the 

 palms of his hands, twirl his bat two or three 

 times round his head, and face the bowler with 

 such confidence as he may possess. 



Half the success of making a big score at 

 village cricket lies in the batsman's ability to 

 establish a " funk " in the ranks of his opponents. 

 This may sometimes be done by advancing up 

 the pitch with one's bat raised in a threatening 

 attitude as soon as the bowler begins that little 

 run which is to terminate with the delivery of a 

 ball. From sheer terror the bowler will prob- 

 ably send down a loose full-pitch to leg which 

 can be hit into the cemetery for six, and when 

 this process has been repeated several times his 

 nerves will be completely shattered and there is 

 no reason why the batsman should ever get out. 

 Of course, if the bowler keeps his wits about him 

 he has merely to lob the ball over the batsman's 

 head and the wicket-keeper will stump the latter 

 before he can return to his crease; this, however, 

 is a risk that must be faced. 



Custom lays down certain minor by - laws 



