The compiler of this book has (contrary to his usual custom) not inserted his real name in the matches in which he appears, because he was so much better known by that of 'Lumpy'. He was no batsman, but was most celebrated as a bowler, being able to deliver more balls of a length than any other man, and he never used to tire; his pace was faster than Lord F. Beauclerk's, but much slower than David Harris's. It must be remembered, also, and allowed for, that (as is the case with other bowlers of his time) he had during the greater part of his career only two stumps to attack, it being then not considered out when the ball passed between these two. Only since 1775, or thereabouts, did he have three stumps to bowl at; and even then the height and breadth were much smaller than those afterwards used. 'Lumpy' was always pleased when wickets fell to him by shooters, and always tried to get the stumps pitched for this end, with a rising piece of ground.
For honest Lumpy did allow,
He ne'er could pitch but o'er a brow.
Like David Harris, he did not get so many of his opponents out by catches off rising balls. The Earl of Tankerville once bet £100 (and won it) that Lumpy would hit a feather once in four balls while bowling on the Burway Ground, at Chertsey. Most of his earliest, and no doubt best, performances are lost, as when this book commences (in 1772) he must have reached the age of 37. His native village was, it is believed, Send, in Surrey; but, when quite young, he was brought to live at Chertsey by Mr. Porter, a brewer and staunch supporter of the game. Latterly he was gardener to the Earl of Tankerville, at his seat near Walton-onThames. 'Lumpy' was a thick-made, round-shouldered man, about 5ft. 7in. in height, and weighed about list. When young, he was, it is supposed, 'a bit of a smuggler;' but in John Nyren's book he is stated to have been 'plain in all his dealings'. Hambledon was his favourite spot, and he used to visit the scene of his former exploits
