fault in management was that he would continue to bowl too long, being very unwilling to be changed, "always expecting to get a wicket with his next over". As a batsman he made some good scores in excellent style, hitting freely and well, though his average will not be found high, but he was often "not out". In 1846 he was engaged as a practice bowler by the Marylebone Club at Lord's (which, indeed, was the means of bringing him into notice), and remained there a few seasons. In 1846 also he originated the "All England matches".
'Altogether, Clarke participated in the game, from first to last, for forty-one seasons which has been done by few if any cricketers in matches of note. His career, therefore, may be considered as one of the most wonderful on record, for (as before stated) he did not come much into notice in the great matches till he was about forty-seven years of age, long before which time many a good cricketer has abandoned the game, as being too old. Clarke also greatly excelled in the game of fives, and met with a severe accident when between twenty and thirty years of age while so engaged, the ball striking him in the right eye, causing him to lose the sight of it. This was, of course, a great disadvantage to him during his cricketing career.
'He also had a good knowledge of betting on races, &c., and was a crafty and fox-headed cricketer altogether. His likeness, an exceedingly good one, by John Corbett Anderson, has been published by Frederick Lillywhite. There is also a good portrait of him in The Cricket Field [see opposite p. 174]. Clarke was originally by trade a bricklayer, but afterwards a licensed victualler, and for some years was landlord of the Bell Inn at Nottingham, opening in 1838 the famous Trent Bridge Ground, and retiring from business in 1847. He was born at Nottingham, December 24, 1798. Height 5 ft. 9 in., and weight 13 st. 11 lbs. Latterly, however, he lived in London, where he died, at Priory Lodge, Wandsworth Road, August 25, 1856, aged 57. He is buried in Norwood Cemetery ... At the end of the year
