18. THE INFLUENCE OF 



On the other hand, the effect of this hero-wor- 

 ship which I have described, is to produce a har- 

 mony and unity of action consequent on confidence 

 in a leader which is peculiar to cricket. Watch 

 a good eleven, a good university or public school 

 team, and see how thoroughly they work together, 

 how the whole eleven is like one machine, "point" 

 trusting " coverpoint,'" "short slip" knowing that 

 if he cannot reach a ball, "long slip" can, and 

 the bowler feeling sure that his " head " balls, if 

 hit up, will be caught, if hit along the ground, 

 will be fielded. Or see two good men batting, 

 when every run is of importance, how they 

 trust one another's judgment as to the possibility 

 of running, how thoroughly they act in unison. 

 Such training as this teaches greatly a combination 

 of purpose and of action, and a confidence in the 

 judgment of one's colleagues which must be ad- 

 vantageous. 



The good cricketer is obedient to his captain, does 

 what he is told, and does not grumble if he thinks 

 his skill underrated : the tyro, proud of his own 

 prowess, will indeed be cross if he is not made 

 enough of, or is sent in last ; but the good player, 

 who really knows the game, sees that one leader is 

 enough, and obeys his orders accordingly. 



There are other lessons taught by cricket, such as 

 caution by batting, patience and care by bowling, 



