James Lillywhite's Cricketers' Annual 1899

6 L I L L Y W H I T E ' SC R I C K E T E R S ' A N N U A L. Yorkshiremen enjoyed , and deservedly , a high reputation as emphatically a side of triers on all occasions . That their success was so universally popular was a fair tribute to the personal merits of the m e nthemselves , as well as to the high tone of the cricket as a whole. N o mention of Yorkshire triumphs would be complete without a special reference to the individual record of the youngest player in the team. Thoughnot yet twenty years of age, and quite new to first -class matches , W. Rhodes at one bound jumped into quite the fore - front of cricketers . For a first season his success as an all -round player has no parallel , certainly of late years . The excellent all -round cricket shown by the Middlesex Eleven in August justifies the belief that had the full strength been available in the earlier matches Yorkshire's claim to the Championship might have been seriously challenged . Even as it is , they were the only side which could really be said to dispute the supremacy of the Yorkshire Eleven on paper . A ttheir best Middlesex were fairly the equals of Yorkshire in respect of all- round cricket . J. T. Hearne, and A. E. Trott , when he recovered from the injury to his finger , were certainly two of the very best bowlers of the year . To aid them there were Rawlin , F. H. E. Cunliffe , C. M. Wells and A. E. Stoddart , all useful changes , and likely to be successful on any kind of wicket . Of run-getters too , there was no lack with P. F. Warner, A. E. Stoddart , J. Douglas, H. B. Hayman, F. G. J. Ford, F. H. E. Cunliffe , Rawlin , C. M. Wells , G McGregor, Trott , with J. T. Hearne , a last batsman certainly capable of challenging comparison with David Hunter, the whipper -in of the Yorkshire Eleven . It was unfortunate for Middlesex that they were not able to showtheir real merits until the season was drawingto anend. B y that time York- shire were pretty well assured of the Championship , and Middlesex had to suffer from early failures when they were a bit out of luck . At the com- mencement of the season Albert Trott injured his hand so badly that he was practically incapacitated for some little time . H o wmuch this meant to Middlesex was shown by the remarkable success that attended his bowling in the later matches . As an all -round cricketer he fully justified the high expectations based on his performances for the Marylebone Club in 1897, and is bound to be a very great addition to the Middlesex side . With Roche, another Victorian cricketer , who will be qualified next year , Middlesex will have , what it has lacked of late years , three professional bowlers of high class , and, moreover , three bowlers on whomthey can always rely . O n the collective performances of the year Middlesex were only inferior to Yorkshire . The fielding was at times alittle faulty , and in that respect a comparison of both Counties at their best would be in favour of Yorkshire . On the other hand, as they were at the end of the season , no doubt manywould be inclined to regard Middlesex as perhaps , after all , the more dangerous side on good wickets , if not under every condition . Since I. D. Walker retired from the captaincy Middlesex cricket has owed so much to A. J. Webbe, that everyone will regret the time has arrived for him, too , to give up the increasing responsibilities incidental to the command of a CountyEleven under the exacting conditions of up-to -date first -class cricket . Thereis at least the consolation that in A. E. Stoddart h e will havea capable successor , and one who will carry out the best traditions of the office.