When he bowled and PILCH batted.

_Champion Bat_ (_aside_). Just twig HARCOURT's face!
Thought he'd had me ere now. Can't you hear his "How's _that_?"--
If I gave him a chance?

_Captain_. He's a fine slogging bat,
But behind the sticks--humph! Well, let's see, lad, your score
Wants but eight of the "century." Ninety-two more
Towards your "average," ARTHUR! The Cricketer's Bard
Will be rhyming your doings!

_Champion Bat_. An awful "reward"!
But shall we play on?

_Captain_ (_thoughtfully_). Well, now, what do you think?
From fighting it out to the end I don't shrink,
But time's running short; _we_ stand well for a win:
They _say_ that their eager desire's to go in.
Perhaps if they got their desire they'd be posed.
Suppose we declare that our innings is closed?

[_Left considering it._

* * * * *

"PROBABLE STARTERS."

The Gentleman who sits on a pin with its business-end uppermost.