The blindness of Americans to their own short comings was illustrated by their attitude during the recent visit of the Irish Team. The universal confidence in themselves, was only equalled by the pity expressed for their visitors who were expected to fall an easy prey to the representatives of Uncle Sam. Americans have set up a standard of their own, and many have persuaded themselves to believe in methods which occasionally succeed, but when the Englishman is at his best the American has invariably been defeated, excuses taking the place of good play, which are so generally accepted that American cricket has temporarily retrograded.
This retrogression has been caused chiefly by ignoring the importance of the wicket keeper. The star known as the aggressive batter, or perhaps he had better be called a comet, has turned the heads of American cricketers. We are all sovereigns, though many of us cannot show that amount of cash, and why should we not all be star batsmen? The object is easily accomplished if the wicket keeper can be got rid of. The attempt has not only been made, but has been actually imposed upon the American public as cricket; for though wearing the armor of that great office, he is located ten to fifteen feet behind the batsman, thereby becoming a fielder; with the tremendious consequence that first-class wicket keeping is rarely seen in America. But we have many aggressive batters, who settle down into first-rate bats when in the presence of a standard wicket keeper. We say most of them, advisedly, for a star will shine, wicket keeper, or no wicket keeper. The true aggressive batsman is a combination of cause and effect which no amount of ambition can even hope to imitate. Brain, guiding muscle, with discipline resulting from long and patient training. He can take almost any liberty with the bowler, he can play inside or outside his crease, for the dangerous ball never reaches the wicket keeper. But it must be remembered that he is a star. He is the perfect batsman referred to on several occasions, who hits every ball which does not threaten his wicket, and many that do. His powerful physique, eagle eye, and energetic mind have given him a place beyond his companions. That instinctive knowledge of the presence of a man immediately behind him who will down his wicket with a smile of satisfaction, must be forever present in the mind of the batter. American cricketers may ignore him, but when America meets her English competitor and hopes for the like convenient ignorance, she is sure to have her pride injured.