James Walker

WALKER, MR. JAMES GEORGE, died on March 24, at Nether Auchendrane, Ayr, in his 64th year. Without ever rising to quite the front rank Mr. Walker was an excellent batsman of the defensive school. Though he went up to Oxford from Loretto with a considerable reputation it was not till his third year at the University that he gained his blue. Playing against Cambridge at Lord's in 1882 and 1883 he was on the losing side in both years, but in 1883 he played a very good second innings of 51. It was his misfortune to be associated with two elevens of far less than average strength. Fate was not kind to him in the big match as in his four innings he was twice run out. After leaving Oxford he kept his place in first-class cricket for several years, playing for Middlesex from 1886 to 1890. His best year for the county was 1886 when he was clearly at the top of his form. Among other good innings he scored 67 in the match in which Middlesex nearly brought off a sensational victory against the Australians. I gather from bat v. ball that his only hundred in first-class matches was 111 for the Zingari against the Gentlemen of England at Scarborough in 1885, but he twice got very near to three figures in 1888, scoring 99 not out for the Gentlemen of England against Oxford University at Oxford and 97 for Middlesex against Gloucestershire at Lord's. Mr. Walker was a batsman pure and simple. He did not bowl and I cannot recall him as more than an ordinarily good field. He excelled at Rugby football, playing three times for Oxford against Cambridge--1879, 1880 and 1881--and getting his International cap for Scotland against England in 1882 and against Wales in 1883. A man of great wealth, he was born at Glasgow on the 9th of October, 1859.