 Essex performed well throughout this season, finishing third in the County Championship with seven wins under their belt from a sixteen-match campaign.1898 was Russell's second-highest scoring season, despite him playing six more first-class matches than in his highest, two years previously.This season also saw him score his second of three first-class centuries, scoring his highest career score thus-far of 122 not out against Hampshire, a score which would only be improved upon once, in a game against Derbyshire, against whom he made an innings of 139 in 1900.