Page:Cricket, by WG Grace.djvu/413

 he batted well for many seasons, particularly in 1875, when he was at the head of the averages. In 1872, against Gloucestershire, at Trent Bridge, he scored 104 an innings freely hit and correctly played. His hands could not stand very well the hard work of wicket-keeping, or he would have done better for his county in that position: at long-leg or cover-point he was very quick. He represented the Players on one or two occasions, played for the All-England Eleven, and was on the staff of the M.C.C. for many years.

Edgar Willsher was, without doubt, one of the greatest bowlers we have had. He was born at Rolvenden, in Kent, 22nd November, 1828. His height was 5 ft. 10½ in.; weight, about 11 st. He learned to bowl at a very early age, played for his county in his 19th year, and appeared at Lord's in 1852. He batted and bowled left-hand, and helped considerably to spread the reputation of the All-England Eleven. His bowling was fast roundarm, twisting in from the leg, and he has been known to bowl as many as 20 maiden overs in succession. Like A. Mynn and one or two others he walked quietly up to the crease when delivering the ball, and yet was able to bowl fast.

Willsher was past his best when I began playing; but his results for some years afterwards, when he was over forty years of age, will show what a grand bowler he must have been some years previous:


 * 1866 || 551 || 263 || 653 || 50 || 13.3
 * 1868 || 1003 || 529 || 1123 || 114 || 9.97
 * 1869 || 811 || 409 || 920 || 68 || 13.40
 * 1870 || 941 || 495 || 1083 || 84 || 12.75
 * 1871 || 752 || 420 || 938 || 73 || 12.62
 * }
 * 1870 || 941 || 495 || 1083 || 84 || 12.75
 * 1871 || 752 || 420 || 938 || 73 || 12.62
 * }
 * 1871 || 752 || 420 || 938 || 73 || 12.62
 * }

John Wisden was born at Brighton, Sept. 5th, 1826. His height was 5ft. 4½ in., and his weight for some time after he commenced to play did not exceed 7 st.