Page:Cricket, by WG Grace.djvu/35

 later, Sussex again winning, but only by two wickets. The defeat upset some of the players who represented England, and a number of them, with more temper than judgment, met and signed the following document: "We, the undersigned, do agree that we will not play the third match between All England and Sussex, unless the Sussex bowlers bowl fair that is, abstain from throwing."

Fuller Pilch's name was amongst the signatories, but reflection brought wisdom, and the third match was played at Brighton, the 23rd, 24th, 25th July, England winning by 23 runs. Ten years later Pilch, playing for Town Mailing v. Reigate, scored 160 against Lillywhite's bowling. Round-arm bowling had now taken a hold, and here will be the place to say a word on behalf of one of the earliest and finest exponents it has ever had.

was born at West Hampnett, near Goodwood, Sussex, June 13th, 1792. There is no record of his doings until he was thirty years of age, and his first appearance at Lord's was on June 18th, 1827, in his thirty-sixth year, playing for Sussex v. England. His height was only 5 ft. 4 ins.; but he was substantially made (weighing 11st. 81bs.), and possessed exceptional stamina. He played right up to the day of his death, August 24th, 1854. The introduction of round-arm bowling was his opportunity, and no one then had a greater command over the ball. His pace would be considered slow to-day, but his accuracy of pitch was something marvellous, and a ball off the wicket was a rare thing. A wide ball rom him was not expected and rarely given; he only bowled some half-a-dozen in his whole career. He was what is now called a "head bowler," always on the look-out for a weak spot in the defence of the batsman, and trusting more to catches than to wickets bowled down. He