Page:Cricket, by WG Grace.djvu/51

 His first 14 overs in the first innings made almost a record:

14 overs, 0 runs, 4 wickets;

and the next five showed:

19 overs, 17 maidens, 2 runs, 6 wickets.

Three of the All-England Eleven played in top-hats.

At the conclusion of the match Clarke presented my mother with a copy of "Cricket Notes by W. Holland, with a letter containing Practical Hints by William Clarke." He had remembered my mother's enthusiasm the year before, and the group of boys who gathered round when he talked to her, and he knew the book would give her and them pleasure. I have the book in my possession now; it is before me as I write, and his handwriting stands out distinctly—

You can imagine how that book was treasured and read by the younger members of the family.

Between the years 1850 and 1860 a large number ot first-class players appeared. The All-England Eleven created great interest everywhere, and it brought to light names which otherwise might never have been heard of. I have only to mention Lockyer, Julius Caesar, Caffyn, John Lillywhite, Wisden, Anderson, Willsher, Tinley, H. H. Stephenson, Jackson, Carpenter, Daft, T. Hayward, and Tarrant. All of them I have met at some time of my career, and I can say without hesitation they could have held their own against any combination of the present time.

Four other players might be mentioned who appeared in the decade I have been referring to—James