JUST to hear his name mentioned must have put the fear of God into Lancashire Cricket League batsmen.

John Crossland was a hard-hitting tailender and a good fielder with a very long throw.

But he was most famous as a very fast bowler.

Unhappily, his action was regarded in some circles -- not all based in southern England -- as pure 'throw'.

Crossland was professional at Enfield CC from 1876 to 1881.

Out of season and after his retirement he worked down the pit at Clayton-le-Moors.

Notoriety followed Crossland from ground to ground around the country when he was playing on the county circuit.

Reader Mr J Whittle, of Pritchard Street, Blackburn, has sent in a cutting telling of the time Crossland almost made the England team.

Mr Whittle, whose grandfather was Crossland's brother, says that Lord Harris who was to captain the England team against Australia, was about to be dropped.

In the end Crossland did not play and, in fact, he was never considered for England again.

Controversy was never far away. When Lancashire played Yorkshire at Sheffield he was barracked with the cries of "no ball".

Eventually he ran to the wicket without delivering the ball and there were still cries of "no ball"!

In another match Crossland shouted back to the barrackers, "You can't tell the difference between a thrown and a fair ball. Now I'll show you."

Then he sent down a perfectly fair delivery. "That is bowling," he said. "Now this is throwing," and threw the ball to the limits of the field. He then added: "And as I'm off, I'll leave it to you to settle who is to fetch it. Good afternoon."

Crossland died in Blackburn in 1903 aged 51.

His best performance for Lancashire was seven for 14 v Surrey at the Oval in 1881. His match figures were 11 for 79. His full first-class record: 1,172 runs (10.95); 32 catches; 322 wickets (12.48).