Bromley-Davenport had played regularly for Middlesex in 1896 and also against South Africa in 1895-96 but the other 3 had not played first-class cricket between the two tours. Whatman and Wickham had not played first-class cricket before the tour while Heseltine had played first-class cricket in 1895 but not in 1896.
Bromley-Davenport's regular participation for Middlesex in 1896 and his matches against South Africa in 1895-96 stood out. In contrast, the other three team members had no prior experience with first-class cricket between these two tours. Whatman and Wickham were newcomers to the sport before the tour, while Heseltine had played first-class cricket in 1895 but not in 1896.