James Lillywhite's Cricketers' Annual 1888

P R E F A C E . DURINGthe sixteen years that have passed since the ANNUALmadeits first bid for the favour of the cricket public , the national game of Englishmenhas showna markedadvance in quality as well as in quan- tity . It is gratifying to us to be able to prove that the Red Book, as it is now familiarly called , has advanced in a corresponding degree . The statistical portion of the work furnishes conclusive evidence of its cosmopolitan character . Its readers are nowto be found in every quarter of the globe-wherever, in fact , King Willow holds his court . For the liberal support they have received in the past , we need hardly add, those whohave been responsible for the conduct of the ANNUAL from the first , are sincerely grateful . As, too , no effort will be spared to maintain the high standard of the book , they look forward hopefully to a continuance of the confidence they have enjoyed from all classes of cricketers . Forms for the insertion of statistics , which will be gladly received , can be obtained at any time on application to the Proprietors , at 2, 4, and 6, Newington Causeway , London , S.E.