Grace, W. G.

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Grace, W. G. (1848–1915). Grace was probably the greatest sporting hero of late Victorian and Edwardian Britain, his bulky form and black beard instantly recognizable. He was by profession a Bristol surgeon with four brothers. Before he was 17 he had appeared for the Gentlemen against the Players at the Oval and at Lord's. In 1866 he made 224 not out for England against Surrey and his volume of runs was unprecedented. In 1870 he launched the Gloucestershire side. In all he made 126 centuries and took 2,876 wickets, playing his last first-class game in 1908, at the age of 60.

J. A. Cannon

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