Page:Cricket, by WG Grace.djvu/402

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394
CRICKET.

of his form a very exceptional thing, considering that he is now in his 4oth year. His best years with the bat have been:

Completed Innings. Runs. Most in an Innings. Average.
1878 46 1347 109 29.13
1881 36 1197 112 33. 9
1882 56 1542 138 27.30
1883 51 1572 84 30.42
1884 45 1334 146* 29.29
1885 46 1337 91 29.3
1887 39 1487 199* 38.5
1890 53 1093 107 20.33

Mr. George Frederick Vernon was born in London, 20th June, 1856. He was educated at Rugby, and was captain of the eleven in 1875. After he left school he became a prominent member of Middlesex and the M.C.C., and continued to do grand work for both with the bat and in the field until last year, when, to the great regret of everyone, he gave up first-class cricket. The 100 he has scored repeatedly for both, and in a dashing way that has often astonished the best bowlers of the present time. He has also done well for the Gentlemen against the Players, and has been chosen in these matches as much for his magnificent fielding as his batting.

He is one of the quick scorers, and for low, clean, hard hitting has few equals: in fact, like McDonnell, the famous Australian, he might win a match by himself at any time, whatever the condition of the ground. Against weak bowling he has made some fine scores, and he holds the record, in conjunction with Mr. A. H. Trevor, for longest partnership 605 made for Orleans Club v. Rickling Green, in 1882. He has no superior in the out-field for quickness and certainty, and he has brought off many a fine catch.

He was a member of the seventh team which visited