Page:Cricket, by WG Grace.djvu/381

 93; his most successful year being 1887, when he caught 39 and stumped 11. When it is remembered that he captained his county that season, the record becomes all the more remarkable, for few players can take that responsibility on their shoulders and play up to their best form. I need hardly say that he has represented the Players v. Gentlemen and England v. Australia, and that in these matches he has been very successful.

He is not a good bat, but when runs are wanted at a pinch, he sometimes makes them. He was one of the English team that visited Australia in 1886-7.

Arthur Shrewsbury was born on the 11th April, 1856, at New Lenton, near Nottingham. His height is 5 ft. 8 in.; weight, 12 st. 2 lbs. It used to be said of Shrewsbury that he was a worthy successor of R. Daft, who helped materially with the bat to gain Nottinghamshire its very high position amongst the counties between 1860 and 1879. By his doings in later years, Shrewsbury has more than confirmed it. Daft's fine performances have been equalled, and it may be safely said of Shrewsbury that no professional has ever wielded a bat with such excellent results.

It is a great many years since he first appeared for his county. As far back as 1875 he represented it, and captivated the critics by his admirable style of play and great coolness. Greater things were expected of him yearly, but somehow they did not come. Bit by bit he built up his great reputation; but it was not until 1885, when he was in his thirtieth year, that he was seen at his best. Two or three years previously he scored over 200 runs in an innings (twice for his county), batting in a way that was worthy of the highest praise; but in 1885, from the beginning to the end of the season, his form was consistently good, and he could show the fine average of 54.7 for fifteen completed innings. He