Page:Cricket, by WG Grace.djvu/354

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346
CRICKET.

in particular being equal to anything I have ever seen. He reminded me of the Hon. C. G. Lyttelton in his best days when he made that hit. You saw the flash of the bat when he made it, and a second or two afterwards the ball had reached the boundary.

Undoubtedly he was the finest batsman I can remember at any University who was unfortunate enough not to be chosen to play in the great match of the year; but the Oxford Eleven of his time had so many good men that it was difficult to know whom to leave out, and of course he did not display the fine form then which made him so valuable to Gloucestershire.

He was a magnificent field and safe catch, and was always ready to go anywhere. In the absence of our regular wicket-keeper, he put on the pads and gloves cheerfully, and did good work at it, although I knew he had no great liking for the post. When the bell rang he was one of the first to appear in the field, and he was always ready when it was his turn to bat. He was appointed one of the masters at Clifton College in 1876, which prevented him from playing much until the latter part of the season, or representing the Gentlemen against the Players. He was also a very fine football player.

Fred Morley was born at Sutton-in-Ashfield, Nottinghamshire, 16th December, 1850. His height was 5 ft. 9 in; weight, 10½ st. For years the names of Morley and Alfred Shaw were before the public as the renowned Nottinghamshire pair, and there can be little doubt that they were a wonderful and effective combination. Morley bowled very fast left round-arm, had a fair break both ways, and generally kept a good length. On his day, on an indifferent wicket, his ball on the leg-stump, breaking to the off, was a difficult one to play, and I had to cry beaten to him more than once. His county had the best of his services, and he served it well. The