Gale F: "Twenty Golden Rules for Young Cricketers" (1887)

The Game of Cricket, by Frederick Gale (1887) Twenty Golden Rules for Young Cricketers

1.Go in when you are told by your Captain cheerfully, whether first or last on the list - it is his fault and not yours if put in the wrong place

2.Think only of winning the match and not of your own innings or average - sink self and play for your side

3.Make up your mind that every ball may take your wicket and play very steady for the first over or two, even if the bowling is not first rate - if prepared for defence, you are doubly prepared to hit a loose ball

4.Except under special circumstances, never run a sharp run, or run one instead of two, or two instead of three, for the sake only of getting the next hit

5.Be equally anxious to run your partners runs and every bye you safely can, as you are to run for your own hits.

6.When the bowling is very quick and long-stop is a long way behind, arrange with your partner, if possible to run a bye for every ball, until you drive your opponent to take a man from the field to back up the bowler.

7.If the field get wild, take every advantage you can, by drawing for over-throws - if the field once begin throwing at the wickets, their discipline is gone. In carrying out this and Rule 6 great judgement is required, as you are backing your steadiness against your enemys, anxiety

8.Remember the batsman has five things to trust, viz his brains, his eyes, his arms, his legs and his tongue and he must use them all

9.The striker ought to be stone-blind to every ball which passes his wicket, or is hit behind his wicket, he is a blind man and the non-striker is the blind mans dog and ought to lead him straight. The same rule applies to the non -striker in respect to balls driven past him or out of sight

10.The man who has the ball in sight ought to keep his partner informed of his movements. The non striker (who ought to back up directly the ball is out of the bowlers hand) should cry - not yet - if the run for a hit behind the wicket or a bye is not certain - and then cry - hold - if there is no run or -one - two - or - three - as the case may be, if there is a bye or a hit past the field. So for a hit to middle deep off or middle on out of non strikers sight the striker ought to cry - go back - if there is no run or - one - etc as the case may be if there is a run. After the first run the player whose wicket is in most danger has the call.

11.In the case of a hit within view of both batsmen, such as a ball hit to a watch who is a little deep - either batsman has the right to say no if called for both wickets are in equal danger.

12.After drawing your partner past recall you are bound to go and run yourself out if necessary - be you who you may.

13.No matter what you think of the umpires decision - if he gives you out - go away and make the most of it.

14.If the batsman is well set and making a score and few runs are wanted - and there is a weak tail to the eleven - he is right when a fresh man comes in - in trying to jockey the over and get the ball. This is not selfishness as he is throwing away a chance of a not-out and may pull the match out of the fire.

15.If the bowling is very slow and the batsman makes up his mind to go in at it - he should not give the bowler the hint of any movement what he is after - but stand like a statue till the ball is out of the bowlers hand.

16.If the batsman does go in and means hitting - let him go far enough and right in towards the pitch of the ball so as to catch it at full pitch or half volley and hit with all his might and main - if stumped he may as well be four yards out of his ground as four inches.

17.If a batsman either does not know or will not practice the rules of running - his partner is quite at liberty to use his own judgement and to turn around and look after the byes - hits behind wicket etc - and if a bad runner insists on running himself out - his partner may let him commit suicide as soon as he pleases.

18.Never keep your partner in doubt by prowling about outside your wicket - mooning backwards and forwards over the crease like a dancing bear - or a mute outside a gin shop - doubtful whether he is going in or out - a silent wanderer is even more dangerous than a noisy bad runner.

19.Remember cricket is an amusement and manly sport intended for good fellowship and not at a vehicle for envy - hatred - malice or uncharitableness. If you have any complaint against your captain - tell him to his face quietly what you think - but do not form conspiracies behind his back. The grumblers and mischief makers are always the greatest muffs and worst enemies of cricket.

The one golden rule for fielding

20.Take the place assigned to you - assuming it is within your capacity - and give your whole mind to the game - from the delivery of the first ball to the fall of the last wicket. If you make a mistake try and mend it - many a good field has dropped an easy catch and picked up the ball and thrown it in and run a good man out. Remember the backing up. A fieldsman is not a sentry on duty but is always a fighting soldier and if a fiver is hit to the off - long leg can even go into battle and render his aid by backing up. Every hit which is made is the business of the whole eleven in the field until the ball is dead. A man who will not attend unless a ball comes near him had much better be in the tent smoking his pipe.

Thanks to Robin Court on r.s.c.