Cricket - the Philadelphia story . . . the 1909 tour of Jamaica

In Philadelphia's thirty five year first-class cricket career they undertook four tours outside of America. Three in England in the summer of 1897, 1903 and 1908 and a fourth tour, their last, a tour of Jamaica, in February 1909.

Following close on the heels of their last tour of England the majority of the senior Philadelphia players, who were strict amateurs, were unable to take further time away from their various business obligations to commit to the Jamaica tour. As a result they sent what could only be described as a second eleven to play Jamaica in three first-class fixtures.

This opened up the opportunity for many fringe players to make their debuts for Philadelphia, or for others to revive a career that had seemed to have ended some years previously.

A record breaking series was the result in what was described afterwards as the most enjoyable tour of them all.