Page:Cricket, by WG Grace.djvu/412

 that he is still one of the most dangerous batsmen in England.

His style cannot be called graceful, for his position at the wicket is more crouching than upright, but that does not prevent him playing with a straight bat, or scoring at a great pace. No one watches the ball more carefully, and his quiet way of placing it without any show is a striking contrast to the vigour of his hitting. Rarely does he allow the ball to pass the bat. With a quick turn of the wrist he places it without seeming effort, and as he gets well over it, it travels low and safely. The quality of the wicket makes little difference to him, for he is nearly as safe and effective when it is wet and sticky as when it is dry and fast. He is an excellent field close in, but has done many brilliant things in the long-field also.

His best batting years so far have been:


 * 1875 || 26 || 696 || 120 || 26.20
 * 1876 || 23 || 723 || 109 || 31.10
 * 1877 || 25 || 651 || 100 || 26.1
 * 1878 || 24 || 588 || 118 || 24.12
 * 1879 || 23 || 532 || 122 || 23.3
 * 1880 || 21 || 660 || 132 || 31.9
 * 1882 || 22 || 660 || 108* || 30
 * 1885 || 24 || 667 || 82 || 27.19
 * 1887 || 26 || 1244 || 243 || 47.22
 * 1890 || 35 || 995 || 134 || 28.15
 * }
 * 1880 || 21 || 660 || 132 || 31.9
 * 1882 || 22 || 660 || 108* || 30
 * 1885 || 24 || 667 || 82 || 27.19
 * 1887 || 26 || 1244 || 243 || 47.22
 * 1890 || 35 || 995 || 134 || 28.15
 * }
 * 1887 || 26 || 1244 || 243 || 47.22
 * 1890 || 35 || 995 || 134 || 28.15
 * }
 * }

Frederic Wild was born at Eastwood, Nottinghamshire, 28th August, 1847. His height is 5 ft. 9 in.; weight, 12 st. He was a good all-round player. When he made his first appearance at Lord's in 1869, for Nottinghamshire v. M.C.C., he clean-bowled me middle, stump when I had made over 120 runs and was well set, and; Alfred Shaw; J. C. Shaw, and Wootton had almost given up hope of getting my wicket; and he scored 13 and 54 in the same match. For