Page:Cricket, by WG Grace.djvu/401

 he is one of the best to-day. Whether as a batsman, bowler, or fieldsman, he has been worthy of a place in any eleven, and very few players have so fine a record. He was at the head of the batting averages of his county some years in succession. He was almost as successful with the ball; and he is still a brilliant fieldsman anywhere.

He represented the Players v. Gentlemen in 1876, and he represents them still. Indeed, it would be difficult, even to-day, to choose a representative eleven of any kind without including him. And I should think he has played oftener out of the United Kingdom than any player. He first visited Australia in 1876 with Lillywhite's team; went out again with Lord Harris's eleven in 1878; and was also a member of Shaw's team in 1881-2. On each occasion he was at the head of the batting averages in eleven-a-side matches, and showed the very fine results of: 1876, average 48.6; 1878, average 34; 1881, average 39.2.

He is very popular with all followers of the game; and his clean and vigorous hitting commands the admiration of everyone. He hits well all round, and scores at a great pace, and invariably bats first man; and when he has got well set, the quality of the bowling makes little difference to him. As a bowler he has been very successful at times, and on a kicking wicket almost unplayable. He bowls fast round with a high delivery, and gets a good deal of break from the off. Now and then he makes the ball rise very quickly, and he has to be very carefully watched. His performance with the ball for England v. Australia, in the 2nd innings at Lord's, July 22nd and 23rd, 1884, was a very fine one: 39 overs, 23 maidens, 36 runs, 7 wickets; and the way he caught Bonnor off his own bowling in that innings has never been surpassed. The year 1890 showed that he had lost little