James Lillywhite's Cricketers' Annaul 1897

T H ECOUNTIESIN 1 8 9 6. 1 2 1 (1) Middlesexv. Surrey. Oval, June25 and 26. O n a bowler's wicket Surrey were not a formidable side with the bat, and theearly part of the gamesawthemat such a disadvantage that Middlesex were able to get a lead of 63, though their total was only 108. Thecommencement of the second innings of Middlesex was equally disastrous , and with Messrs . Stoddart. Hayman, McGregor, Dr. Thornton and Rawlin all out for single figures there seemed a certainty of a small score . But the wicket was improved, and a remarkable display of batting by Sir T. C. O'Brien gave Middlesex a hugeadvantage . His score of 137 was a wonderful innings under the circumstances . Mr. Bromley-Davenport (50 not out), the tenth m a n, hit the Surreybowling vigorously . Surrey's show in the second innings wasonly a little better than the first . J. T. Hearne again bowled unchanged, and Mr. Key, who was the highest scorer in the first innings with 14, was again principal run-getter with 25. Surrey, who were seen to great disadvantage all round, lost by205 runs. Middlesex , 108 and 268 ; total , 376. Surrey , 45 and126; total , 171. Hearne(Middlesex) Rawlin(Middlesex) Overs. Maidens. R u n s. Wickets. 4 3 . 2 4 2 1 5 1 9 9 0 6 9 1 2 T (2) Middlesexv. Sussex. Brighton , July 27, 28 and 29 . Middlesex were batting all the first day, andagain Sir T. C. O'Brien was their most successful batsmanwith 85 out of a total of 335. Sussex gave avery disappointing display in their first innings , as J. T. Hearne and Rawlin bowled unchanged, and Killick and Mr. Murdoch tied for the highest score with 20. Foronce Ranjitsinhji did little in either innings , and Mr. N e w h a m (18 and 80) and Marlow (4 and 63) were the highest run-getters on the side for thematch. Middlesex wonby nine wickets . Middlesex , 335 and43 (1 wicket); total , 378. Sussex,101 and274 ; total, 375. (3) M i d d l e s e xv. Somersetshire. Taunton , Aug. 3, 4 and 5. Though the run-getting was high throughout there was only one hundred , Mr. W. N. Roe's second score of 106 for Somerset . Atthe end of the second day therewaslittle to choose betweenthe two sides , as Somersetwerethen21 on with one wicket downin thier second innings . There was then little chance of a definite result , and the gamewas drawn with little to favour either side . J. T. Hearne (52 and 28) was the most successful batsman as well as bowler for Middlesex . Sir T. C. O'Brien (50 and 25) andRawlin (50, not out 18) helped himmost. Next to Mr. Roe,Messrs . L. C. H. Palairet (35 and 63) and Robson (56 and 17) were the best run -getters for Somerset . Somersetshire , 248 and257; total , 505. Middlesex , 289 and 100 (5 wickets ) ; total , 389. (4) Middlesexv. Yorkshire. Bradford, Aug. 17, 18 and 19. TheBradford ground is conducive to big scoring , and this matchwasno exception to the rule . Messrs . Stoddart (94), and J. Douglas (87) put on 178 for the first wicket of Middlesex at the start , and this was only one of many good stands . The best individual score of the match was Mr. F. S. Jackson's first of 115, andas he got 83 in the second he very nearly performed the rare feat of making two hundreds in the match . Of several other excellent batting performances Sir T. C. O'Brien's 94 in the second innings of Middlesex wasone ofthe best . Inthe match 1,101 runs were scored for 31 wickets . The game wasdrawn. Middlesex , 263 and 332 ; total , 595. Yorkshire , 363 and 143 (1 wicket) ; total , 506.