Dr W. G. Grace

The Great Cricketer

A tall, genial, bearded man with a big frame and even bigger personality Grace is known simply as W. G. Supremely confident and unafraid to cheekily stretch the rules, he created many first-class records and lifted the profile of the game in England and throughout the British Empire in the 19th century. Born in 1848, he was the first player to accumulate 100 hundreds; to score a triple century and to make 1,000 runs and capture 100 wickets in a season. Masterful on dangerous and unpredictable pitches he struck the first century in Test matches in England, 152 at The Oval in 1880. He was 50 years and 320 days old when he played his final Test in 1899. He was feted on two visits to Australia where he was paid well to appear in public and was losing captain in 1891-92.

'If you make up your mind to hit, hit hard. No half-and-half style as a rule will pay. And when you block, infuse a little power into what you do. Hit with your arms, but use your wrists as much as you can... Hit along the ground - a high hitter is invariably a low scorer' - W.G. Grace

'A young bowler ought not rest satisfied until he has learned to bowl a yorker.' W.G. Grace

The Stats

Many writers and commentators have described Grace’s superb batting, his outstanding influence on the game of cricket for more than 40 years and the legacy he left for future generations of cricketers and cricket lovers. However, perhaps his ability is best encapsulated in the words on the WG Grace Memorial Gates, which were erected at Lord’s in 1923: “The Great Cricketer”. In the end his greatness was simple - he created modern cricket by his own example and force of personality.

Did you know?

In his debut innings Grace made 152, but on his debut as Captain, made only one. In his last innings (still as Captain), Grace's final Test score was also one.