Page:Seventy One Not Out.pdf/42

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24
I COMMENCE MY PUBLIC CAREER.

against twenty-two in the field, and I soon found out that I must alter my play somewhat to score many runs. For a time I did not trouble to hit much, but went in more for placing balls for one or two, and always tried to keep the ball on the ground. I used to cut a great deal, as I always did in eleven-a-side matches, and scored a great many runs in this way, notwithstanding that the off-side was generally well packed with fielders for me. Playing so many matches and travelling so much was a great strain on one's constitution. We often had to travel all night and begin play at eleven o'clock on the morning we arrived at our place of destination, and I have often been so tired that I have almost fallen asleep while in the field. Clarke used to give us £4 a match at this time for the All-England matches. The All-England Eleven in 1851 was generally selected from the following players: W. Clarke, J. Guy, J. Caesar, G. Parr, W. Caffyn, G. Anderson, J. Grundy, T. Box, J. Wisden, W. Hillyer, Mr Felix, Mr A. Mynn, W. Martingell, F. Pilch, and Daniel Day.

Bob Thoms, the now celebrated umpire, played with us a few times at the beginning of the season. He was not very successful with the bat, but was a very fine field. "Bob" was noted as a runner, and could give any of the eleven a start at 100 yards.

Daniel Day the Surrey player was a good "fast--