Was Gilbert Jessop the game’s first great power-hitter? Wisden certainly thought so in naming him as a Cricketer of the Year in 1898.
Gilbert Jessop went on to become one of the great cricketers of the golden age, his most celebrated innings coming in the classic 1902 Ashes Test at The Oval.
It is perfectly safe to say that there are few more popular figures on the cricket field at the present time than the young amateur who has, during the last few seasons, done so much to restore the fortunes of the Gloucestershire eleven. The public dearly love a fearless hitter, and in days like these, when there is a tendency in many directions to make cricket a little too steady and methodical, a batsman of Mr Jessop’s delightful qualities is sure of an enthusiastic welcome wherever he goes.
We have never before produced a batsman of quite the same stamp. We have had harder hitters, but perhaps never one who could, in 20 minutes or half-an-hour, so entirely change the fortunes of a game. Those who, during the past season, saw Mr Jessop in the Oxford and Cambridge, and Gentlemen v Players’ matches, witnessed some hitting that in its way could not have been surpassed. The manner in which, on a somewhat worn wicket, he literally flogged the best professional bowling in England in the Gentlemen’s second innings was simply astonishing.
It was for Cambridge against the Philadelphians last June that he made his first hundred in a big match, scoring 140 in an hour and 35 minutes. Against Yorkshire at Harrogate, at the end of July, he scored 101 in 40 minutes, but in connection with this performance, it must be borne in mind that the boundaries at Harrogate are very flattering to a big hitter. After the season was over, Mr Jessop went to America with Mr PF Warner’s team, but it cannot be said that on the other side of the Atlantic, he added to his reputation.
Mr Jessop is one of the most enthusiastic of cricketers, and it was certainly a fortunate day for Gloucestershire when his ability was discovered. Barring the Graces themselves, the county has never had such an all-round player.
