Page:Cricket, by WG Grace.djvu/359

 as successful for Middlesex in 1876, scoring over 100 in an innings against Surrey and Nottinghamshire that year, and averaging 89 for the whole season. He was one of Mr. Fitzgerald's Eleven which went to America in 1872; and though he did not score heavily, yet he was very successful in his wicket-keeping. He rarely played forward; but his back play was almost perfect, and he had great patience. Nothing would tempt him to hit out if cautious and safe play were necessary, and few batsmen could play an uphill fight or a defensive innings more perfectly. He represented the Gentlemen first in 1870, and for two or three years afterwards, but was not so successful for them as in other matches.

As an all-round athlete he had few equals, taking first honours in racquets, tennis, and football.

Mr. George Palmer (cricketer) was born at Albury, New South Wales, on 22nd February, 1860. His height was 5ft. 10ins.; weight, 12 st. He bowled rather above medium pace—might be called fast—and had a very easy action. He was very straight, kept a good length, and did most damage with his break from the off; but now and then he put in a beautiful leg-twister which was very difficult to play. The leg-break was rather a pet weakness of his, and he got hit severely at times by overdoing it. If he had stuck to his off-break he would have shown better results; for he had a rare command of the ball on that side. He was as good a batsman as anyone in the 1886 team. His best bowling performances in England, in eleven-a-side matches, were:


 * 1880 || 710 || 342  || 892  || 80 || 11.12
 * 1880 || 1185 || 511 || 1731 || 138 || 12.75
 * 1880 || 1241 || 466 || 2131 || 132 || 16.19
 * 1880 || 1416 || 564 || 2328 || 106 || 21.102
 * }
 * 1880 || 1241 || 466 || 2131 || 132 || 16.19
 * 1880 || 1416 || 564 || 2328 || 106 || 21.102
 * }
 * }


 * 1886 || 52 || 1028 || 94 || 19.40
 * }
 * }