James Lillywhite's Cricketers' Annual 1893

P A R T I. P C H A P T E R I. T H ES O M E R S E T S H I R E E L E V E NO F1 8 9 2. F I V Eyears ago any one would have been bold to a degree who & would have ventured to predict that fortune had in store for Somersetshire such rapid promotion as has attended its representative during the last few summers. A n dyet it can safely be said that the advancement of the county has given unmixed satisfaction to the general public . Somersetshire's rise has been the outcome of really good cricket . Anynotions that it was mere luck have been fully disproved by the consistent form of the eleven -form good enough , at all events , to secure for themthe third place amongthe first -class counties . T h e elevation of Somersetshire to the front rank is an effectual answer to the suggestion that these counties form a close borough . All-round cricket of a more than ordinarily promising kind was sufficient of itself , and without any influence , to secure fixtures with all the other principal shires , and thereby practically to ensure a place in the higher circle of cricket . On last year's form , too , the Somersetshire eleven fully warranted their inclusion . Their rise has , in a great measure, as has been the rise of manyother county clubs , been due to the enthusiasm of one man. That m a nis their captain , H. T. Hewett, of Harrow and Oxford fame. His personal example has had, as it was bound to have, an inspiriting effect on the rest of the side , and the result has been, not only lively batting , which is bound to be attractive to the public , but good all -round cricket , played too in a thoroughly broad and sportsmanlike spirit . Somersetshire , short as has been its career , has already played a useful as well as honourable part in County Cricket . 2