Page:Cricket, by WG Grace.djvu/316

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308
CRICKET.

rule breaks from leg; but occasionally he puts in a beauty which comes with his arm. Like Turner, he alters his pace with good judgment; but he is more reliable on a perfect wicket, not caring a bit about being hit, and he can keep up his end as pluckily as any one. As he has only completed his 24th year, he may be expected to improve for some years to come. He is a safe field, and can make runs when they are badly wanted. His bowling performances in England in 1888 and 1890 were something remarkable for so young a player:

Overs. Maidens. Runs. Wickets. Average.
1888 222 998 3103 220 14.23
1890 1685 688 2838 215 13.43

Mr. Charles King Francis was born at Upminster, Essex, 3rd February, 1851. His height was 5ft. 10ins; weight, 11 st. 8 lbs. He was a good all-round man, batting freely and in good style, and bowling with great success in good matches. For Rugby he bowled with great effect against Marlborough, at Lord's, in June, 1869, taking seven wickets first innings and all ten second. He played for the Gentlemen when he was 19 years of age, and for some years afterwards; but was more successful with the ball than the bat. He bowled very straight and very fast round-arm, and occasionally gave a short, bumpy ball that was difficult to get away from. He was one of Mr. Fitzgerald's team which visited Canada in 1872, and he did good work for it.

George Freeman was born at Boroughbridge, Yorkshire, 28th July, 1844. His height was 5 ft. 10½ in.; weight, about 14 st. He was the finest fast bowler I ever played against: not, perhaps, the fastest; but his bowling came quickly off the pitch, and the spin he got on it troubled me more than any bowler I can remember. His delivery was easy, and he could keep it up for a very long time; and when the ball hit you, you felt as