The modern captain instructs his bowlers to give preference to “off” rather than “on” balls, and places his field in accordance. If the bowlers do their full duty, the batter must score from unnatural hits only, if at all.
1st.--He may receive a short pitch “off” ball, which he can drive to mid off, or “cover,” or he may “pull it” to “leg” by advancing his right leg towards point, thereby assuming the natural attitude, and acting as if it were a leg ball.
2nd.--The over pitched “off” ball the batsman drives to long field, or over the bowler’s head. These “off” balls require little beyond a correct eye and ready hand. But the modern batsman who expects great success must learn to “cut,” for the large proportion of balls delivered are best suited for cutting.
There are three distinct varieties of cuts. First, the forward cut. Second, the square off cut. Third, the late cut. Each play resulting from the relative position of the ball to the batsman while he is making the hit. All the cuts are made from rising balls distinctly to the off. When an off ball falls outside of the line of safety for a forward play, the batsman instantly prepares himself for the forward cut. This he does by elevating the bat as in No. 11, at the same moment turning his face towards point, with his right foot somewhat advanced in the same direction, using his left as a pivot. This movement towards the advancing ball enables him to reach the spot it is soon likely to occupy. Then while carrying his bat at an angle of about 70, he suddenly brings it down with a chopping motion until it comes in contact with the ball, which moves rapidly towards the boundary in a line between point and mid-wicket. This hit is illustrated by No. 12. It is effective, as it has a tendency to spread the field forward.
Illustration: No. 8--PREPARED TO DRIVE “ON.”
The Cricket Field says with truth: “You won’t win by a hitting game if there is no hit in you,” and adds in somewhat different language, “the game to carry you through is the game you play best.”
No. 13, illustrates the position of the batter while making the square cut. This hit is made from a ball rising to the off but falling somewhat farther from the line of the wicket than that from which the forward cut is made. Were the batter to stand firm in his position it would be an impossibility for him to strike this ball, for it must be remembered that it is advancing obliquely towards point, and that it will have moved a considerable distance in that direction by the time it arrives opposite the batsman. But it is his business to move towards the ball, so that he can at least try to hit it. Mahomet must go to the mountain, for it is quite evident that the mountain is rapidly moving away from Mahomet. Having elevated his bat as in No. 11, the batsman takes a long stride with his right foot along the line of the popping crease, then suddenly and forcibly bringing down his bat carried at an angle of 70°, he “cuts” the ball towards point.