W.G. Grace facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
W.G. Grace
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W.G. Grace
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William Gilbert Grace
18 July 1848 |
| Died | 23 October 1915, aged 67 Mottingham, Kent, England
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| Nationality | British |
| Occupation | General practitioner |
| Known for | Cricket |
| Family | E. M. Grace, Fred Grace (brothers), Walter Gilbert (cousin) |
W.G. Grace (William Gilbert Grace, born 18 July 1848 – died 23 October 1915) was a famous English doctor and cricketer. He was known as 'W.G.' and is one of the most important people in cricket history.
Grace played first-class cricket for an amazing 44 seasons, from 1865 to 1908. During this time, he led many teams, including the England national team. He also captained Gloucestershire County Cricket Club and the MCC.
Grace came from a family of cricketers. In 1880, he played in a Test cricket match with his two brothers, E.M. Grace and Fred Grace. This was the first time three brothers played together in a Test match. His father and a cousin were also good players.
Contents
W.G. Grace: A Cricket Legend
Grace was a right-handed batsman and bowler. He was so good that he changed how cricket was played. He was an amazing all-rounder, meaning he was excellent at batting, bowling, and fielding.
His Batting Skills
Grace was most famous for his batting. He usually started the game as an opening batsman. People at the time said his batting skills were unique. He knew how to hit the ball in every way possible.
Leading the Team
Because he was so skilled and understood the game well, Grace often captained the teams he played for. He had a strong personality and was a natural leader on the field.
Life as a Doctor and Player
Grace became a doctor in 1879. Even though he was a doctor, he was still called an "amateur" cricketer. This meant he wasn't officially paid to play. However, many people believe he earned more money from cricket than professional players did. He was a very competitive player.
Grace was one of the most famous people in England. But he was also sometimes controversial. This was because he was very clever in how he played, sometimes bending the rules without breaking them. This is called gamesmanship.
Other Sports He Enjoyed
When he was younger, Grace was also a champion hurdler in the 440-yard race. He also played football for the Wanderers team. Later in life, he enjoyed golf, lawn bowls, and curling.
Grace's Test Cricket Career
Test cricket officially began in 1877. Grace was already 28 years old then. He played his first Test match in 1880 against Australia. In that game, he scored England's first-ever Test century (100 runs).
He played for England in 22 Test matches during the 1880s and 1890s. All of these games were against Australia. He was always chosen to play for England when they played at home. His only Test tour to Australia was in 1891–92.
The Ashes Legend
One of Grace's most important Test matches was against Australia in 1882 at The Oval. Australia won this game by just 7 runs, thanks to a bowler called Spofforth. He took 14 wickets in the match. This game is famous because it led to the legend of The Ashes.
In that match, Grace scored only 4 and 32 runs. Some people blamed him for making Spofforth play so well. This happened because Grace made a clever, but unsporting, run-out of an Australian batsman. This action seemed to make Spofforth even more determined.
W.G. Grace died from a heart attack in 1915.
Images for kids
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Picture of Grace taken in 1872 by Elliott & Fry.
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Grace pictured in 1874 with Harry Jupp.
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Portrait of Grace by Herbert Rose Barraud, around the late 1880s.
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An 1877 drawing of Grace by Leslie Ward showing his famous beard and MCC cap.
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Grace in 1885.
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Gentlemen, captained by W. G. Grace, playing against Players at Lords in 1899.
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Grace (left) with former Australian Test captain Billy Murdoch when both played for London County.
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W. G. Grace getting ready to bat.
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Entr'acte cartoon: Bobby Abel to W. G. Grace: "Look here, we players intend to be sufficiently paid, as well as the so-called gentlemen!"
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Grace with his wife around 1900.
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Grace on his 66th birthday, 1914.
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15 Victoria Square, Clifton, Grace's home from 1894 to 1896.
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Grace pictured with the future King Edward VIII in 1911.
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Grace's grave in Beckenham Cemetery.
See also
In Spanish: W. G. Grace para niños
