James Lillywhite's Cricketers' Annual 1898

T H EE S S E XE L E V E NO F 1897. THATthe Essex Eleven were among quite the most popular County teams of the year was only a fitting tribute to the general excellence of their cricket . At one time it looked as if they were well in the running for the Championship itself . Their failure against Surrey at Leyton was a great disappointment in the face of the really fine form they had been showing . Still , in point of their all -round cricket , they could bear comparison , and favourably , with the best . Inbowling they were particularly strong , with an infinite variety , which no other County, with the one exception of Lancashire , could claim. The batting , too , was just of the kind to attract the public -never wearisome , rarely tedious , but mostly taking and enjoyable to watch . Whatis of more importance for the County , the eleven has comparative youth on its side , and should be able to hold its own for the next few years at least .