Page:Cricket, by WG Grace.djvu/300

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292
CRICKET.

11 st. 7 lb. He appeared at Lord's for his county in 1850. He was a good fieldsman at point and at longstop; and he was also a very free batsman. He was one of the famous eleven of Surrey which a few years later more than held its own against the other counties. He was also a member of the first English Eleven which visited Australia in 1862.

William Caffyn was born at Reigate, Surrey, and February, 1828. His height was 5 ft. 7, in.; weight, 11 st. He was the Surrey crack for a good many years, and one of the best all-round players of his time. As a batsman, his cutting was exceptionally good and his scores very large. Repeatedly he scored over 100 runs in an innings. He was a good field anywhere, and worth playing in any team for his bowling alone. He was a member of the first team that visited Australia in 1862, and he created so favourable an impression in the Colonies that he was engaged to remain for some years at a very high salary. I played against him on his return; and though he was not the man he had been, yet the style was there, and we had occasional glimpses of his old form.

Robert Carpenter was born at Millroad, Cambridge, 18th November, 1830. His height was 5 ft. 8½ in.; weight, 11 st. 7 lbs. He may be safely placed as one of the finest of our great batsmen; his defence, considering he did not play forward, being perfect. I have rarely seen a batsman who watched the ball so carefully, and his back play and patience were exceptionally good. The bowler had all his work cut out to get Carpenter's wicket, whatever the state of the ground shooting or bumping balls being confidently met. Batsman after batsman was beaten on a kicking wicket in some of the matches Carpenter played; but there he remained, keeping the straight ones down, punishing the loose ones, and breaking the hearts of many a twenty-two, who saw