Grace, William Gilbert

Grace, William Gilbert (1848-1915), cricketer, b. Downend, near Bristol, England.

Dr. W. G. Grace was the greatest cricketer of his time. He first played for Gloucestershire at the age of sixteen and was still playing at the age of sixty.

He was a large man with a long, black beard and he was a cunning bowler as well as a splendid batsman.

He liked to be on the field of play for every moment of a match, batting, bowling or fielding, and notices outside cricket grounds sometimes read: 'Admission 6d. If Dr. Grace plays, Admission is 0d.'

W. G, as he was known, scored 54,896 runs, made 126 centuries and took 2,876 wickets.

In one innings in 1876, he made 400 runs not out.