James Lillywhite's Cricketers' Annual 1888

C R I C K E TIN 1887. 3 of the Canadian team, favourable as was the impression they created everywhere socially by their general demeanour, was really anything but an educational one, or that their presence had any material influence on the season's results . W h a tcricket there was, was purely English . " 'Tis English , sirs , from top to toe ;" and, looking at the fact that there was no extraneous attraction to give an additional interest to the programme, the feeling of gratification is only natural. Countycricket in particular was productive of more than ordinary excite- ment, and the Surrey eleven mayfairly claim to have contributed , in a certain degree, to this increase of public interest . Formanyyears Surrey cricket was at a low ebb, owing to causes which need not be mentioned here . At one time invincible , the eleven had descended by rapid stages to the lowest possible place among the principal counties . During the last few summers , though , there had been a steady and markedimprovement in the all -round play of the eleven , culminating last year in their reappearance once againat theheadof county cricket . H o wmuchof this success was due to the untiring devotion andcease- less energy of the captain , Mr. John Shuter, is best knownby those whoknow anything of the workthat most popular of cricketers has done. Atthe time he first identified himself with the county the eleven was in all respects an inferior one, andto himessentially belongs the credit of the great revival which has been witnessed in the last few years . The influence of a good captain is , it is hardly necessary to point out, incalculable , and Mr. Shuter's personal influence has beena very important factor in the resuscitation of Surrey cricket . Surrey's record last summerwas in every respect a brilliant one, and its successes , we believe , were generally very popular . In estimating , too , the performance of the Surrey team, it must not be overlooked that they hadmany discouraging circumstances against them, more particularly during the latter part of the summer. Mr. W. E. Roller , it is unnecessary to recall , broke down in health early in the summer, and as he had up to that time proved himself not only to be one of the most successful run-getters in the eleven , but also one of its best bowlers , the loss of his all -round cricket was severely felt in the remain- ing matches . In addition , Jones , whose bowling was always of use, often very effective , gave way in the fore part of the summer; and a strain also kept Beaumontawayfrom the August fixtures . Injured hands, too , more than once prevented W o o dfrom keeping wicket , so that it will be seen the eleven were handicapped rather heavily towards the close of the season . The combination of difficulties above mentioned , however , gave additional lustre to their achievements , and it maybe urged to their credit that their per- formance in playing up so well under evident disadvantages , and with practically three of their regular bowlers laid up, more particularly after the strain of a veryheavyseason, wasa remarkableone. Ofthe sixteen matchesin whichthey took part, twelve were won, two drawn, and two lost . Of the two drawn games, one was left in a very open condition , and the other entirely in their favour-a certain victory had it been possible to prolong the gamefor a short time. Their double defeat of Notts was a feat of which they had good reason to be proud, but their other successes were in manycases as creditable , and it is tob erecordedto their credit that each of their matchesagainst Yorkshire was w o nbymore than an innings . Lancashire and Middlesex both beat themat the Oval, and it is singular that with the one exception of the fixture at Brighton , where they just managed to pull through with a wicket to spare , all their out matches were wonby large majorities . A very strong batting side on a good wicket , at the same time they more than once were seen to advantage whenthe ground was not in the very best condition for run-getting . Each memberof the eleven contributed his fair share to the successful result , and it might seem invidious were weto single any player or players out for special notice . Still it maybe fairly urged that the honours inbatting werew o nby Messrs . Key and W. W. Read, and those in the bowling department by Lohmann. The professional's record , considering the general excellence of the wickets , was indeed an extraordinary one , and on last year's form he was with