Page:Cricket, by WG Grace.djvu/358

 after, however, he scored 44 and 28 in the same match, and had the fine average of 27.16 for 42 completed innings in first-class cricket. He had even a finer average in 1889 31.11 for 25 innings and to-day he is as good as he ever was.

His defence is good, but it is his free, dashing style that has made him so great a favourite. He is a poor beginner, and looks anything but at home the first over or two; but once he gets set, he is irresistible against all kinds of bowling. A half-volley, long-hop, or good-length gives him no trouble then, and there is no stopping him. His grand scores of 92 and 100 not out for Middlesex v. Yorkshire, at Lord's, in 1889, will never be forgotten, especially the latter. It was equal to anything ever hit on that ground, and was made in one hour and 20 minutes. The Yorkshire bowlers were all treated alike, and the spectators could hardly sit still for excitement and admiration of the grand display, which enabled Middlesex to win the match a few minutes before time.

He is a good field and safe catch, and always ready to go anywhere and everywhere. So far, he has not had much opportunity of showing the bowling skill he possesses, although he can bowl both right-hand and left, and is always practising when a wicket goes down. He thinks it rather hard luck that he cannot get the Middlesex captain to believe in his powers, but consoles himself with the thought that a prophet has little honour in his own country; and with having got me out on one occasion at Cheltenham when the regular bowlers had failed. He has played for the Gentlemen v. Players, and was one of Mr. Vernon's Australian team in 1887-88.

Mr. Cuthbert Ottaway was born at Dover, Kent, 20th July, 1850. His height was 6 ft.; weight, 12½ st. He was a brilliant batsman at school, scoring repeatedly for Eton over 100 runs in an innings, and having an average of 70 for it in 1869. And he was just