G. Strachan's. For six hours he sat patiently with the pads on, waiting for I. D. or Fred to come out, and when his turn came he had to be content with two balls: the first he hit for 2; the second he was c and b Hornby. I ought to have said that Fred hit thirty-four 4's in his score; I. D. Walker, one 5 and twenty-five 4's; and that the other eight batsmen scored 19 runs amongst them.
Another good bit of scoring was 166 for first wicket by Fred and myself, for the United South v. Twentytwo of Sleaford with R. Iddison, at Sleaford, 9th, 10th, and 11th June. It is curious how some innings leave a greater impression than others. That one is vivid to me on account of an accident which happened to one of the Twenty-two. He was fielding at short-leg to Iddison's lob-bowling, and was standing a little in front, about twelve yards from the wicket. Iddison would have him closer in, and eventually he was placed four yards nearer. I did not say anything at the time, but could not help thinking the position would have to be abandoned before Fred and I had finished batting.
Iddison pitched the first or second ball of the over a little too far up, and I stepped out and hit it on the full pitch. It went straight to the unfortunate fieldsman, hit him on the ankle, and then travelled far enough to enable us to run four. "He must be hurt," I thought; but he did not show it. He was a rare plucked one, and never winced; but, as Jas. Lillywhite said, "It is not in cricket human nature to hide that stroke, and I'll keep my eye on him;" and, sure enough, when the fieldsman moved to the long-field at the end of the over, and thought no one was looking, he began to rub vigorously. We saw little of him next day, and I believe he was laid up for some time afterwards. I think it cured Iddison of placing a man so near when bowling lobs.
