W. G. Grace

William Gilbert Grace (July 18 1848–October 23 1915) was an English cricketer who, by his extraordinary skills, made cricket perhaps the first modern spectator sport, and who developed most of the techniques of modern batting.

First Class career

The title of champion was well earned by one who for thirty-six years (1865–1900 inclusive) was actively engaged in first-class cricket. In each of these years Grace was invited to represent the Gentlemen in their matches against the Players, and, when an Australian eleven visited England, to play for the mother country. As late as 1899 he played in the first of the five international contests; in 1900 he played against the players at the Oval, scoring 58 and 3.

Related Topics:
1865 - 1900 - Gentlemen in their matches against the Players - Australian eleven - 1899 - The Oval

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He averaged 39.45 at first class level, a figure undoubtedly dragged down by his playing into his late fifties. At his peak in the 1870s his first-class season averages were regularly between 60 and 70, at a time when uncovered, poorly-prepared pitches meant that scores were far lower than the modern game.

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At fifty-three he scored nearly 1,300 runs in first-class cricket, made 100 runs and over on three different occasions, and could claim an average of 42 runs. Moreover, his greatest triumphs were achieved when only the very best cricket grounds received serious attention — when, as some consider, bowling was maintained at a higher standard, and when all hits had to be run out. He, with his two brothers, E.M. and G.F., assisted by some fine amateurs, in one season turned Gloucestershire into a first-class county, and it was he who first enabled the amateurs of England to meet the paid players on equal terms and to beat them.

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