Page:Cricket, by WG Grace.djvu/342

 Ephraim Lockwood was born at Lascelles Hall, near Huddersfield, Yorkshire, 4th April, 1845. He was one of the best all-round players of his time; batting with success, and fielding with great certainty. He was not a brilliant batsman, nor particularly free in his style; but what he lacked in that respect he made up in patience and carefulness. His bat was always in the way of the ball, and he had few superiors in watching and timing all kinds of bowling on a rough and kicking wicket. He could hit anywhere, his cutting being particularly fine; and he had one peculiar stroke which I used to consider a mis-hit for a long time. Off slow bowling, he made what seemed a half-hearted hit just over the bowler's or mid-ofFs head, but which did not go far enough for long-field to reach. Time after time a catch seemed likely to come off; but the fieldsman was always a yard or two short, which was very tantalizing, and I was compelled to conclude that the hit, though not pretty to look at, was intentional, especially as he scored by it every time. On a wet or dead wicket he was seen at his best; then he could watch the ball for any length of time; keeping up his wicket with a very straight bat, and putting on the runs at a fair pace when others failed to score.

He bowled round-arm, with a high delivery, varying from medium-pace to slow, and when the ground was heavy got a fair amount of spin on the ball. He batted well for the Players for many years; but particularly in 1874, 1875, 1876, and 1877. In 1874 he scored 67 not out and 48 at the Oval, and 70 in the first innings at Lord's. In 1875 he scored 67 in the second innings at Lord's; in 1876 he scored 70 at Prince's; and in 1877 he scored 97 and 20 at the Oval; and on each occasion he went in first. But I remember we got him out for a brace of ducks at the Oval in 1873.

He captained the Yorkshire Eleven for some years;