Cricket 1907

C R I C K E T ! A W EEK LY RECORD OF T H E GAME. J U L Y 2 5 , 1 9 0 7 . “ Together joined in Cricket’s manly to il.” — Byron. wo. 75 8 . v o l . x x v i . THUESDAY , JU L Y 25, 1907. p r i c e 2d A CHAT ABOUT DR. E. M. GRACE. If the complete history of cricket during the latter half of the nineteenth century ever comes to be written, it will at once be seen that Dr. E. M. Grace possesses very strong claims to be regardei as one of the most remarkable players of that period. The eldest of the three famous brothers, he took part in his first- recorded match when only ten years of age, and was but thirteen when he was chosen to appear for West Gloucestershire against the All England Eleven. On the latter occasion he scored 1 and 3 against the bowling of Willsher and Bickley, being given out l.b.w. in his first innings to a ball which struck him high up in the stomach. He was still quite young when his many large innings in the West of England caused his name to become familiar to all cricketers in the country. In July, 1862, he soored 118 against Wootton and Grundy for South Wales Club against M.C.C. and Ground, at Lord’ s, and, in consequence, was asked a week or two later, and at almost the last moment, to take part in the Canter­ bury Week. He arrived on the second day just in time to take his first innings, in which, owing probably to the fatigue of his long journey, he failed to score; but in his second he made 56. His father was rather disappointed with his dis­ play, but any shortcomings were amply compensated for in the second match, between Gentle­ men of M.C.C. and Gentlemen of Kent, for he not only carried his bat through the innings of 344 for 192, but took all ten wickets in the second innings of Kent for 69 runs: the match was twelve a-side, and Mr. R. J. Streatfeild was absent. Some objection was raised by the Kent men to “ E.M .” assisting the M.C.C., as he was not a member of the Club, and the fact that he was to play had not been communicated to the Kent captain. But the Manager of the “ Week,” Mr. W. de Chair Baker, had previously given his permission, and, after some wrangling, “ E .M .” was allowed to play, but not until Sir Spencer Ponsonby had threatened to claim the match in the event of the Kent side refusing to play. Some discontent at the proceedings was after­ wards expressed at Lord’s, which, as Lord Harris has pointed out, “ is not to be!wondered at, for the M.C.C., before all clubs, should be specially scrupulous in playing only bona-fide members, or, if it wishes to play ‘ given ’ men, in asking the permission of the captain of the other team.” “ E.M.’s ” performance in the mitch stamped him as a young player — he was then only 20 years of age—of most exceptional ability, and when he accompanied George Parr’ s team to Aus­ tralia in 1863-4 he was everywhere recog­ nised as the greatest run-getter in the world Mr. Pycroft, iu referring to his batting in 1863, says* —“ What he did last season (1863) perhaps neither he nor any other man, for many a year, will ever do again—to wit, make an average of 39 an innings in 12 first-class matches, BometimeB against All Eng­ land Elevens, and sometimes against extra numbers with professional bowlers given ! ” In those times, when pulling was considered almost a sin, “ E.M .’s ” batting gave rise to much comment; for he scored off many balls which, according to custom, should have been dropped down just in front of the bat, or played gently back to the bowler. For a little time followers of the game appeared to be, and no doubt were, horrified at his unorthodoxy, but it was not long before his vigorous methods made him the most popular player of his day, and his figure as familiar as that of his younger and greater brother, “ W. G .,” afterwards became. Dr. Grace’s visit to Aus­ tralia in 1863-4 with George Parr caused much excite­ ment in the Colonies, for cricketers out there had read of his wonderful doings at home and were anxious to welcome him and see him perform on their own wickets. Un­ fortunately, however, he never showed his best form. In a published account of the tour he has himself said— “ As a cricketer I was not at all suc­ cessful. I began to play recklessly and could not alter till too late. * Crictotana, p. 233.