Athletic sports and recreations for boys / by the Rev. J.G. Wood.

  • John George Wood
Date:
1861
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Athletic sports and recreations for boys / by the Rev. J.G. Wood. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    fourthly, the absence of intemperance as an adjunct. It is now the favourite game of the country village and the county town, as well as of the larger commercial cities and of the great metropolis itself, where the M.C.C. at Lord’s, and the Surrey Club at the Kennington Oval, as well as some others of less note, keep cricket going through- out the season. This lasts from spring to late autumn, depending a good deal upon the weather, for it is a game which requires a dry sod, as well as freedom from any present fall of rain. The game of cricket is played either as wrhat is called “The Single-Wicket Game,” or as “ Double-Wicket.” Single-Wicket requires one wicket, one popping crease, one bowling crease, one ball, one bat, and any number of players ar- i*anged in two sides, not exceeding seven or eight of a side. With these the game is played subject to the special laws of single-wicket, which differ in some essential points from those of double-wicket. Double-Wicket is played with one ball, two bats, two wickets, two popping creases, two bowling creases, and two sides of players— one of which shall consist of eleven, but the other, though usually confined to the same number, may be extended to any other. Two Umpires are also appointed to decide upon the proper carrying out of the rules. THE LAWS OF CRICKET. The following laws are those which are now universally employed throughout England and Scotland, having been carefully revised by the Marylebone Club, that being the highest authority in this game :— 1. The Ball must weigh not less than five ounces and a half, nor more than five ounces and three-quarters. It must measure not less than 9 inches, nor more than 9J inches in circumference. At the beginning of each innings either party may call for a new ball. 2. The Bat must not exceed 4-j inches in the widest part; it must not be more than 38 inches in length. 3. The Stumps must be three in number ; 27 inches out of the ground; the bails 8 inches in length ; the stumps of equal and of sufficient thickness to prevent the ball from passing through. 4. The Bowling Crease must be in a line with the stumps; 6 feet 8 inches in length; the stumps in the centre ; with a return crease at each end towards the bowler at right angles. 5. The Popping Crease must be 4 feet from the wicket, and parallel to it, unlimited in length, but not shorter than the bowling crease. 6. The Wickets must be pitched opposite to each other by the umpires, at the distance of 22 yards. 7. It shall not be lawful for either party during a match, without the consent of the other, to alter the ground by rolling, watering, covering, mowing, or beating, except at the commencement of each 'innings, when the ground may be swept and rolled at the request of cither party, such request to be made to one of the umpires within 4>ne minute after the conclusion of the former innings. This rule is
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