A Cricket Bowler

By Edward Cracroft Lefroy (1855-1891).

Two minutes’ rest till the next man goes in!
  The tired arms lie with every sinew slack
  On the mown grass. Unbent the supple back,
And elbows apt to make the leather spin
Up the slow bat and round the unwary shin,—        5
  In knavish hands a most unkindly knack;
  But no guile shelters under this boy’s black
Crisp hair, frank eyes, and honest English skin.

Two minutes only. Conscious of a name,
  The new man plants his weapon with profound        10
    Long-practised skill that no mere trick may scare.
Not loth, the rested lad resumes the game:
  The flung ball takes one madding tortuous bound,
    And the mid-stump three somersaults in air.


Note

Line 13: madding. Frenzied.