Page:Cricket, by WG Grace.djvu/349

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CRICKETERS I HAVE MET.
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has been a power in the cricket world. At Cambridge he was very successful with bat and ball, and he represented his University in the single and double contests at tennis, winning both. He threw the cricket-ball repeatedly over 100 yards, and was fairly successful as a bowler, bowling round-arm, medium-pace, and lobs; and he was above the average as a wicket-keeper. He was chosen to represent the Gentlemen in his 18th year, and played for them for six years, bowling, batting, fielding and wicket-keeping with great success. The M.C.C. elected him on their Committee in 1874, and he was chosen President in 1888.

Mr. Percy Stanislaus McDonnell was born at Kensington, London, on the 13th November, 1860. He made his first appearance in England with Murdoch's team in 1880, and created a great impression as a batsman and field, which he fully maintained in subsequent visits. As a dashing batsman he has had no equal in any Australian Eleven, and it is not too much to say of him that on a bad wicket he might win any match by the wonderful way in which he can force the game. In the early part of his innings he is rather too eager to score, but once he gets set all kinds of bowling are treated alike. His fine score of 103 out of the first 158 runs for Australia v. England at the Oval in 1884 was a very dashing effort on a good wicket; but his 82 out of 86 against the North of England at Manchester in 1888, on a slow treacherous wicket, which enabled his side to win the match, was one of the grandest efforts ever witnessed. He hits hard all round and keeps the ball low, and his driving is particularly fine. In the field he is exceptionally smart, and has a good return. He captained the sixth Australian team in 1888, and managed the eleven with excellent judgment.