James Lillywhite's Cricketers' Annual 1898

T H EUNIVERSITIESA N DP U B L I CS C H O O L SIN 1 8 9 7. 1 8 7 MERCHISTONELEVENIN 1897.-J. M. B. Duncan: A n excellent captain , energetic , enthusiastic , generally judicious , and a very good all -round player . Hasshown remarkable improvementin batting , being nowquite the mostcon- sistent scorer we have , but his bowling has deteriorated . Avery good field in anyposition . J. Knox: Though very successful in the earlier part of the season, has done good service with the ball on several occasions , but is inclined to be erratic . Very good in the out-field . A. O. Freer : Hasmade excellent progress in batting in several matches , offering resistance to bowling whenthe best batsmen hadfailed . Succeeds best in a waiting game, for his driving is faulty . Thoughpossessing only moderate skill with the gloves he has been of great service at the wicket . W. H. Welsh : A nimproving batsman, with good defence , but rather cramped style . Exceedingly good in the field , quick in getting to the ball , picking up cleanly , and returning with great accuracy . D. Ramsay: Bats in fairly good style in practice , but his performances in matches have been disappointing . Slow in the field . D. Couper : A nuntrained bats- m a n, w h ohas been of service on several occasions in the latter part of the season. H a san effective stroke on the off-side, b y which he makesthe majority of his runs. A fair field . H e has scarcely done himself justice in the more important matches, nor quite fulfilled the promise he gave last year. Batsin vigorous style , andtimes the ball well when set , but for the first few overs , possibly through over -anxiety , he is often uncertain . In the field he excels himself at mid-off , and at times he has been a useful change bowler. A. Duncan: Has made great advances in his batting on last year's form, though the reputation for scoring power he acquired at the beginning of the season has not been maintained , and he has often failed whenhis help was most needed. A fine free bat whenhe is in form, with exceedingly good style . A nexcellent cover -point , and sometimes a useful lob bowler. J. R. Simson : Another very muchimproved batsman, who has played a number of useful innings . Hasyet to rid himself of the faults of letting the ball play the bat in back play , and of poking at balls on the off -side that might be cut . Much improved in his fielding .ng W. Rutherford : Apromising left -hand slow bowler , with a very attractive and easy style , and a great commandof the ball . H e is learning to vary his length and pace, and at times has been very successful . Smart in the field , and an improving batsman . R. M. Robertson : Not a correct batsman, but one whocan hit a half-volley very hard, and if allowed to remain will increase the score rapidly . W. C. Brown: With more confidence and moreattention to defence and care in practice he would make a run-getting bat, as hehas considerable driving power . Much improved in fielding since the beginning of the season . His bowling is too uncertain to be of muchuse.