Background
He was born in West Derby and died in Upton, Cheshire.
He was born in West Derby and died in Upton, Cheshire.
He appeared in 57 first-class matches as a righthanded batsman and wicketkeeper, also bowling right arm slow pace with a roundarm action. He scored 1,674 runs with a highest score of 158 and held 28 catches with four stumpings. He took seven wickets with a best analysis of five for 65.
His highest score of 158 was his sole first-class century, made for Cambridge University against Surrey at The Oval in 1877.
He was coached there by H. H. Stephenson.
Steel was a member of the Cambridge eleven for four years from 1876 to 1879. He had previously been a member of the Uppingham School XI for five seasons, 1871 to 1875, the last two as captain.