Page:Cricket, by WG Grace.djvu/386

 James Southerton, the man of many counties, was born at Petworth, Sussex, November 16th, 1827. His height was 5 ft. 6 ins.; weight, at his best, about 11 st. Like one or two bowlers I have mentioned, he did almost better after his 40th year than before it. In turn, he played for Surrey, Sussex, and Hampshire but it was not until he went back to his first love in his 39th year that he became one of the most successful bowlers of his time. His bowling was slow round-arm, with a rather peculiar delivery, and by many players it was considered doubtful. On a sticky wicket he could get a great deal of work on the ball, and he was very clever in altering his pace and pitch. A careless batsman, or one playing against him for the first time, was very often taken in by it, and Southerton used to chuckle when he gained a wicket in that way. Another trick of his was to deliver three balls, causing them to break six inches or more, and then to put in a fast straight one—a trick which was often successful. He had to be watched very closely: for he had a good head on his shoulders, and was continually seeking for a weak spot; and more than once I have seen him deliver the ball before he reached the crease. He did good work for the United South Eleven; but his best performances were for Surrey. In 1872, in his 45th year, he is said to have captured 340 wickets in good matches; and the year after, for his county alone, he obtained 147 wickets, and had a batting average of 22. He represented the Players in 1870, '71, and '72, and did fairly well with both bat and ball.

His batting was characterised more by hard hitting than sound defence, and occasionally he shut his eyes when he hit. He strenuously denied it; but we caught him napping beautifully in one match—M.C.C. v. Surrey. I was fielding at point when he hit a ball very hard that struck the ground a yard or two in front of me,