Page:The Hambledon Men (1907).djvu/114

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74
THE HAMBLEDON MEN

the best judges of a short run I ever knew; add to which, that he possessed a generally good knowledge of the game.

Hitherto I have spoken only of his batting. In this department alone, he had talent enough to make a dozen ordinary cricketers, but as a general fieldsman there were few better; he could take any post in the field, and do himself credit in it: latterly he usually chose the place of slip. But Beldham was a good change bowler too; he delivered his balls high, and they got up well. His pace was a moderate one, yet bordering upon the quick. His principal fault in this department was that he would often give a toss; taking him, however, as a change bowler, he was one of the best. He would very quickly discover what a hitter could do, and what he could not do, and arrange his bowling accordingly. Finally, although his balls were commonly to the length, he was much better calculated for a change than to be continued a considerable length of time.

One of the finest treats in cricketing that I remember, was to see this admirable man in, with the beautiful bowling of Harris.

Having finished with the best batter of his own, or, perhaps, of any age—Beldham—we proceed to the very best bowler; a bowler who, between any one and himself, comparison must fail. David Harris was, I believe, born, at all events he lived, at Odiham, in Hampshire; he was by trade a potter. He was a muscular, bony man, standing about five feet nine and a half inches. His features were not regularly handsome, but a remarkably kind and gentle expression amply compensated the defect of mere linear beauty. The fair qualities of his heart shone through his honest face, and I can call to mind no worthier, or, in the active sense of the word, not a more 'good man'