Robinson's: he put together two thin boards, angle-wise, on his right shin: the ball would go off it as clean as off the bat, and made a precious deal more noise: but it was laughed at—did not last long. Robinson burnt some of his fingers off when a child, and had the handle of his bat groved, to fit the stunted joints. Still, he was a fine hitter.
A one-armed man, who used a short bat in his right hand, has been known to make a fair average score.
Sawdust.—Beldham, Robinson, and Lambert, played Bennett, Fennex, and Lord F. Beauclerk, a notable single wicket match at Lord's, 27th June, 1806. Lord Frederick's last innings was winning the game, and no chance of getting him out. His Lordship had then lately introduced sawdust when the ground was wet. Beldham, unseen, took up a lump of wet dirt and sawdust, and stuck it on the ball, which, pitching favourably, made an extraordinary twist, and took the wicket. This I heard separately from Beldham, Bennett, and also Fennex, who used to mention it as among the wonders of his long life.
As to Long Scores, above one hundred in an innings rather lessens than adds to the interest of a game.
The greatest number recorded, with overhand bowling, was in M. C. C. v. Sussex, at Brighton, about 1844; the four innings averaged 207 each.
