Albert Ward

Albert Ward, who was born on November 21, 1865, was essentially and indeed entirely a cricketer of 1889. His few appearances for his native county of Yorkshire in the latter part of 1886 were not attended with success, and to the general public he was quite unknown when in May last he appeared at Lord's for the Colts of the North against the Colts of the South. Though he only scored 25 on that occasion, his fine style of batting made an immediate impression upon all good judges who saw his innings, and at the end of the same week for Lancashire against the M.C.C. he at once sprung into fame, his scores of 33 and not out 62 making it clear that a new player of first-rate pretensions had appeared on the scene. After such a start it was only natural that he should have a regular place in the Lancashire eleven, and very thoroughly and completely he justified his selection, coming out second to Frank Sugg in the Lancashire averages in first-class county matches, and heading the list in the county's engagements for the whole season. His highest score was 114 not out against Middlesex at Lord's, but readers of WISDEN'S ALMANACK will see in the following pages that in many other matches he was of the greatest value to his adopted county. Standing 6 feet in height, and having great power and reach, Albert Ward possesses every qualification for a first-class batsman, and it seems reasonable to expect a brilliant career for him. It was complained of him that after his first week's cricket at Lord's he adopted an unduly careful style, but something must be allowed for a young player meeting, practically for the first time, all the best bowlers in the country. So far as we are aware he does not attempt to bowl, but he is a capital outfield.