being a very safe player and a remarkably fine hitter; and Edward Stevens, or, as he was commonly called, Lumpy, was esteemed the best bowler.
About the years 1769 and 1770, the Hambledon Club, having had a run of ill success, was on the eve of being dissolved. It had been hitherto supported by the most respectable gentlemen in that part of the county. They determined, however, once more to try their fortune, and on the 23rd of September, 1771, having played the County of Surrey, at Laleham Burway, they beat them by one run. Out of fifty-one matches played by the same club against England, &c., during the ensuing ten years, they gained twenty-nine of the number.
Several years since (I do not recollect the precise date) a player, named White, of Ryegate, Drought a bat to a match, which being the width of the stumps, effectually defended his wicket from the bowler: and in consequence, a law was passed limiting the future width of the bat to 4¼ inches.[1] Another law also decreed that the ball should not weigh less than 5½ oz., or more than 5¾ oz.
On the 22nd of May, 1775, a match was played in the Artillery Ground, between five of the Hambledon Club and five of All England; when Small went in the last man for fourteen runs, and fetched them. Lumpy was bowler upon the occasion; and it having been remarked that his balls had three several times passed between Small's stumps, it was considered to be a hard thing upon the bowler that his straightest balls should be thus sacrificed; the
- ↑ I have a perfect recollection of this occurrence; also, that subsequently an iron frame, of the statute width, was constructed for and kept by the Hambledon Club; through which any bat of suspected dimensions was passed, and allowed or rejected accordingly. J. N.
