Page:Cricket, by WG Grace.djvu/384

 Mr. John Shuter was born at Thornton Heath, Surrey, on the 9th.February, 1855. His height is 5 ft. 6 in.; weight, 11 st. As a public school boy he acquired a great reputation, and before he had completed his twentieth year he had played for Kent by right of residence. But it was in 1877 that he identified himself with the county of his birth. Surrey has had no warmer supporter, and few more brilliant batsmen and fieldsmen. He is a safe field anywhere; and can get runs in any company, and makes them in a way that delights the spectators. His hitting is brilliant all round, and in forcing the game he has few equals. His defence is good and sound, but it is his dashing, rapid scoring that charms every one; and he is a rare good man at a pinch. Every one who has had to do with the captaining of a team knows how difficult it is to get some players to hit out and risk their wickets in the hope of achieving a win. I have never had to ask Mr. Shuter twice to make a bid for victory. He can grasp the situation as quickly as any one, and is invariably equal to it.

Surrey has done wonders under his leadership. Matters were not too rosy when he undertook the captaincy, but it did not take long to prove to the Surrey Committee that they had got the right man in the right place. He has the eleven well under his command, and he has the gratification of knowing that Surrey has to thank him to a great extent for its high position to-day. He played for the South v. North in 1878, for the Gentlemen v. Players in 1879, and most years since. His best years with the bat have been:


 * 1882 || 32 || 832 || 93 || 26
 * 1883 || 32 || 805 || 108* || 25.5
 * 1884 || 36 || 968 || 125 || 26.32
 * 1885 || 34 || 841 || 135 || 24.25
 * 1887 || 27 || 871 || 111 || 32.7
 * 1888 || 33 || 834 || 95 || 25.9
 * }
 * 1885 || 34 || 841 || 135 || 24.25
 * 1887 || 27 || 871 || 111 || 32.7
 * 1888 || 33 || 834 || 95 || 25.9
 * }
 * 1888 || 33 || 834 || 95 || 25.9
 * }