Page:The Hambledon Men (1907).djvu/260

 to this he was only 32 years of age when he left off playing in the great matches. (Though the above is believed to have been the old Hambledon Club player, still it is not quite certain, as, by another account, he lived and died at the village of Hambledon.)

first match at Lord's was in 1801, for Surrey against England. He was one of the most successful cricketers that has ever yet appeared, excelling as he did in batting, bowling, fielding, keeping wicket, and also single-wicket playing. His hitting (he always raised his bat over his shoulder) was tremendous, his chief aim being to take the ball at the pitch and drive it away, and 'the bowler, instead of attacking him, always seemed to be at his mercy'. It must, however, be observed (as is the case with other cricketers of former days) that he had, during the greater part of his career, smaller wickets to defend than those afterwards used, as well as having only under-hand bowling to contend against. He was the first cricketer who ever made 100 runs twice in the same match, which feat he performed in 1817, scoring 107, not out, and 157, against two of the best bowlers of the day, namely, E. H. Budd, Esq., and Howard! He was also a noted single-wicket player; and in 1810, alone and unassisted (his partner, Mr. G. Osbaldeston, being unable through illness to play more than a few balls), beat at single wicket two of the best cricketers of that time, namely Lord F. Beauclerk and Howard! This was certainly a proof of his great superiority. His bowling was rather slow, and was very successful, being an approach to round, his arm being slightly extended from his side—in fact, it was a high under-hand delivery, twisting in from the leg-side. His fielding also was very fine, having huge hands, which were a great advantage to him. Altogether, this great cricketer, taking everything into consideration, has been surpassed by few, if any. His name will be found in the great matches at Lord's up to 1817, but after that he was not allowed to appear at that ground any more,