Page:Cricket, by WG Grace.djvu/409

 who has done it more than once in first-class cricket; in fact, he has done it thrice.

Six out of the seven brothers have played for Gentlemen v. Players from 1852 to 1877, the exception being Mr. Alfred Walker, the second brother, who was born in 1827. He was a very fast underhand bowler of the old school, with a good curl from leg, and as good a bowler of that style as has been seen. On the rough wickets, which were very common in those days, he did great execution, and probably one of his performances is unique; for he obtained all the wickets except one in both innings, and he himself threw down that batsman's wicket from his own bowling!

The Southgate Club first played regularly in 1855; down to 1877 it played 192 matches, of which Southgate won 133, lost 27, and 32 were unfinished: one-day matches were decided first innings. All the seven brothers took part in three matches, and would have done in several more had not illness or accident prevented.

Alexander Watson (cricketer) was born at Coatbridge, Lanarkshire, 4th November, 1846. His height is 5ft. 6½ in.; weight, 10 st 10 lbs. Scotland has reason to be proud of him as a cricketer, and it was a fortunate day for Lancashire when he crossed the border to accept an engagement with the Rusholme Club. He learned his cricket as a member of the Drumpellier Club, well known as Colonel Buchanan's team, and was even more successful with the bat than the ball. His first good match was against the All-England Eleven at Glasgow, when he was about 18 years of age. At that time he bowled fast round, with little or no break. Mr. D. Buchanan, who was in the habit of taking an eleven of the Free Foresters to Scotland, was the first to notice his exceptional abilities, and advised him to moderate his pace and cultivate break, which he promptly did. A two years' engagement with the Edinburgh