Page:Cricket, by WG Grace.djvu/374

 freedom, his height and reach enabling him to get well over the ball. His slow lobs were about the finest of their kind; and as he was exceptionally smart in the field, he brought off now and then a very smart catch when he was bowling. He threw his heart into every department of the game, and his play all round was characterised by dash and brilliancy.

Mr. Alexander Rowley was born at Manchester, 3rd October, 1837. His height was 5 ft. 11 ins; weight, 11½ st. He was a very fine batsman, with a free style, hitting severely to all parts of the ground; and some of his scores were made very rapidly and against the best professional bowlers of the day. Business engagements, unfortunately, interfered with his cricket; and although he appeared for the North v. South, his county, and other important matches, he was seen very little in the south after 1861. He bowled left-hand, slow round-arm, with a good break, and now and then met with great success. I have met him a great deal at Old Trafford and at the Oval, and occasionally at Hastings, but more as a personal friend than a cricketer; and his geniality and hospitality have always been worthy of the reputation which Lancashire county gentlemen have so well and deservedly earned.

He is the third member of a family of seven brothers who created a position in the cricket world very little short of the Walkers and Lyttletons. As joint Hon. Secretary of the Lancashire County Club with Mr. Swire, the year of its formation, he did excellent work, and he was elected President some years later.

Mr. Edmund Rowley, the fourth brother, was almost as good, and represented Lancashire for many years. He was a fine batsman and a good field. His batting was characterised by vigorous hitting, and against second-class bowling he scored very rapidly. He played for the Gentlemen v. Players in 1862: and