James Lillywhite's Cricketers' Annual 1899

C R I C K E TIN 1898. 1 3 I nthe last issue of the Annuala suggestion wasoffered that Worcester- shire should consider the advisability of a more pretentious program.me with a view to possible promotion to the list of first -class shires . The suggestion wascarried out with fairly successful results . Against a fairly good side of Yorkshire, including more than one of the first Eleven, they madean excel- lent show, at least in one match, and until quite the finish looked like actually winning. Moreover, they took a double first bybeating the 2ndEleven of Surrey , who had not knowndefeat for five years , twice . At the time this article was written there appeared to be every chance of Worcestershire's promotion to the first -class Counties for 1899 . The Inter -University match proved a complete reversal of that of 1897 , in respect , at least , of the result . Both sides were considered to be below the average , and the bowling all round was decidedly weak. Anybody's game was the general verdict , and everybody , or nearly everybody , was prepared for high scoring . Asnot infrequently happens the game was pro- lific in surprises . Three of the 22 players certainly did maintain their reputations . They were C. E. M. Wilson, the captain , G. L. Jessop , of Cambridge , and F. H. E. Cunliffe , the Oxford captain . Jessop did not stay in long enough to be dangerous in either innings . It was very fortunate for Oxford , as if he had only got set his fearless hitting might have easily altered the whole course of the game. Wilson's first score of 115 was, if slow , worthy of the highest praise . Cunliffe had shown such improvement as a batsmanthat it wasno surprise to find himscoring well. His all -round cricket , it maybe added in parenthesis , contributed in no small degree to Oxford's success . Cambridge's defeat was the more noteworthy from the fact that they won the toss , and so had the advantage of first innings . Theywere unlucky beyond a doubt in having to play the greater part of their second innings after a night's rain. At the same time , as the game went, the Oxford Eleven played the better all -round cricket . The batting in any case was muchbrighter . More attractive cricket than was shownby A. Eccles in the first innings could certainly not be desired . H e wasonly in a few minutes over two hours, and his 124 included no less than 1 6fours. There was at least one satisfaction in the Eton and Harrowmatch, that for the first time for manyyears it was finished . Harrow, although their early performances had hardly justified unbounded confidence , wcre thought by those who knew them best to have an exceptionally good all -round side . To a great extent their display warranted the idea . There were defects , it is true , notably in the notup to the best standard of Public School . wasdistinctly above the average . There was ofvigour in the batting , with little or no tail . the Harrow captain , was unmistakably the best player in the two Elevens . Eton, on the other hand, had the most likely batsman in their captain , Pilkington , and in point of style his cricket was the best of the match . The mostthat can be said for the bowling is that it was moderate. fielding , which was certainly But altogether their cricket generally a refreshing amount All round , E. M. Dowson, W. G. Grace's jubilee was, with their usual forethought , selected by the Committeeof the Marylebone Club for the date for the decision of the annualmatchbetween Gentlemenand Players at Lord's. It was only in the eternal fitness of things that the all -round cricket should have been thoroughly worthy of the occasion . Both sides were perhaps , with one ex-