Page:Cricket, by WG Grace.djvu/154

 American Baseball Players (who visited us with the idea of introducing the game of baseball) played seven cricket matches, and showed that they knew something of that game as well as baseball. Unfortunately they had been much underrated, and the engagements made on their behalf were against very third-class teams. They won four out of the seven played, and the other three were drawn. There was one individual score of 50, but 25 was nearer the form of the best of them; and only once did the total of their innings reach as high as 130. Their fielding was exceptionally smart; and though their efforts to create a love for baseball were not rewarded, their skill was undoubtedly appreciated.

The All-England, United South, and United North Elevens were still travelling all over the country; but county cricket was taking a greater hold, and they did not excite so much interest as they used to. With the United South, I visited Ireland for the first time, and against Twenty-two of Leinster my brother Fred and I did a good performance, scoring 272 runs. My 153 was, so far, the highest innings made against a twenty-two; and I had now scored the century in England, Scotland, Ireland, Canada, and Australia.

Cricketers all over the country had occasion to grumble at the weather in 1875. It was both wet and miserably cold the greater part of the year, and wickets everywhere were sticky and very often unplayable. Batting averages went down considerably, and bowlers got great break on the ball. Slow and medium round-arm bowlers had their opportunity, and improved to some extent, and batsmen who had only been used to straight fast were a little bit abroad in playing them. Alfred Shaw at times did what he liked with the ball; and I shall never forget his wonderful performance for Nottinghamshire v. M.C.C., at Lord's, on the 14th and