In addition to being a fast-medium bowler with a high delivery and a little break both ways, John Rawlin was a hard-hitting batsman who scored freely when set. He played for Yorkshire in five matches between 1880 and 1885, was a member of the MCC groundstaff between 1887 and 1911, and took 631 wickets for Middlesex between 1889 and 1909. In 1887-88 he visited Australia with Mr. GF Vernon's Team, and in 1892, 1895 and 1896 appeared for the Players. Four times he took as many as eight wickets in an innings for Middlesex--for 64 runs v. Somerset at Taunton in 1891, for 52 v. Yorkshire at Leeds in 1892, for 29 v. Gloucestershire at Bristol in 1893, and for 50 v. Yorkshire at Sheffield in 1894. He also obtained seven at a cost of 18 runs v. Notts. at Lord's in 1895, and with J. T. Hearne bowled unchanged throughout v. Sussex at Hove in 1892 and v. Surrey at The Oval four years later. For MCC v. Notts. at Lord's in 1891 he had an analysis of 4 for 8. Two benefit matches, at Lord's, were given to him, Middlesex contending with Somerset in 1896 and with Sussex in 1911. His highest score for the county was 100 v. Surrey at Lord's in 1899.
Wisden Cricketers' Almanack