BROTHERS OF THE CRICKET FIELD

Evening Star, Issue 14185, 9 October 1909, Page 6

BROTHERS OF THE CRICKET FIELD

In an interesting anecdotal artado-on ! * Brothers of the Cricket FfediLMfofrfo : appears in the September WujdfN l j Magazine,’ accompanied by portions j I SirTlome Gordon, Bart., writes!— ‘‘‘ “The Gunns have done a lot for Notts, and all three have played for England, the only three professionals of on 3 family that have earned this distinction. William Gunn, the unde, six feet several inches in height, was a fine outfield, and still finer bat until he absolutely concealed his great powers as a natural hitter. John Gunn, the elder nephew, trained on slowly* blit j 1 t our seasons has accomplished the double feat of taking a hundred wickets and making a thousand runs. Ho "has twice taken part in county partnerships exceeding 350 runs. His health has not been of the best, nor has that of George Gunn, who as supernumerary to the last M.C.O. eleven in Australia ended as ho began, with a centttty ih a Test match. He is a particularly scientific bat, and, like John, pl-iys lefthanded. “ The three brothers Crawford are sons of the Rev. J. 0. Crawford, arid m their case it is an instance of lierbdi- ' tary talent. ‘V. F. S.’ was the Hutchings of Surrey cricket until ho migrated to Leicestershire. ‘R. T.’ is utilitarian, in every department. ‘J. N.’ was the youngest cncketer who has ever played in a Test match for England. He is a capital bowler, a dangerous bat, and a, safe field, though he plays in Spectacles. “ Worcestershire has not inaptly been called Fostershire, and it is enormously indebted to the sons of the Malvern schoolmaster. Major W. L. Foster is a defensive bat of formidable Capacity. Mr R. E. Foster, the finest bat of tho family, possesses almost every Quality —strong defence, self-restraint, free, attractive style, and wonderful wrist shots. He has carried pulling to a fihe art. As for his work in the University match and for the Gentlemen, it will never be ensed from the golden page of cricket loro. In his first Test nmtfch at Sydney he compiled tho huge iniuhes of 287, and, after a shaky start, Ms : play was beyond criticism. Mr Basil roster, who is on the stage, is a lively ‘ nm-getter, and more might be ts&a. with advantage of Mr M. E. Foster who only needs to get going in order - to show the ability in him, tor at' Mat yern ho did as well as any of hm elderbrothers All tlic Fosters have been : splendid fieldsmen, the elders, perhaps, ■ specialising at short slip. One, theej> Oxomau, Mr G. N. Poster, is now in India.”