Page:Cricket, by WG Grace.djvu/310

 quality of the bowling made little difference to him; he played all sorts from fast round to underhand lobs with consummate ease and confidence, and never seemed to tire.

Many a weary day he gave us in the Gentlemen v. Players matches, and I was just as thankful to see his back to the wicket as he was mine. He was a fine field at long-leg, and that too at a time of rough kicking grounds, when it required both skill and nerve to pick up a ball smartly and accurately. He made an excellent captain, and led the Players and Nottinghamshire to many a victory. He returned to his first love, the Amateurs, before giving up first-class play. His best batting years were:


 * 1867 || 7 || 377 || 72* || 53.6
 * 1869 || 10 || 494 || 105 || 49.4
 * 1870 || 11 || 565 || 92 || 37.10
 * 1871 || 15 || 565 || 92 || 37.10
 * 1872 || 17 || 589 || 102 || 34.11
 * 1873 || 11 || 416 || 161 || 37.9
 * 1876 || 26 || 886 || 99 || 34.2
 * }
 * 1872 || 17 || 589 || 102 || 34.11
 * 1873 || 11 || 416 || 161 || 37.9
 * 1876 || 26 || 886 || 99 || 34.2
 * }
 * 1876 || 26 || 886 || 99 || 34.2
 * }
 * }

Mr. was born at Smethwick, in Staffordshire, 26th November, 1860. His height is 6 ft. 2 in.; weight, 12 st. 12 lbs. His brilliant batting and fielding capabilities at a very early age, in connection with the Smethwick Club, attracted the attention of the Derbyshire Committee, and he was asked to play for that county when he was in his twenty-first year.

I question if any young player has ever done better for his county the first year of his appearance. From the beginning right to the end of the season of 1881 Mr. Docker batted in exceptionally fine form, and one week in particular towards the end of the season was a veritable triumph for him. Against Sussex, at Brighton,