A GREAT CRICKETER.

Dunstan Times, Issue 1188, 5 December 1884, Page 3

A GREAT CRICKETER.

The cricket which Dr W. G. Grace has displayed this year has in some respects surpassed his achievements for a long time past, while some of his performances, against the Australian team in particular, have been so brilliant as to completely dispel the growing impressio u that “ the Doctor was getting old and stale.” Under these circumstances, and in consequence of a rumor that he had finally decided toretire from county cricket and first class matches altogether, we, Pall Mall Gazette, sent one of onr representatives to interview Dr Grace. The following is his report I called on Dr Grace at Lord’s Cricket Ground just as the now famous match of smokers v. non-smokers was being brought to a conclusion. All the time he was talking h<s head was turned towards where the cricket was going forward- His love for the game is intense. His enthusiasm is still I'.ke that of a schoolboy, and his happy delight when his side is winning is apleasureto see. Gunn. it will be remembered, gelding on the other side of the ground, effected a marvellous catch which dismissed Mr Christopherson. “Was that really oat, Christopuerson ?’’ Dr Grace cried, as that batsm:m came in. “It'sthe most wonderful catch I’ve seen in my life—there’s not another man in England could do it 1” In speaking of his own performances Dr Grace said : In 1876 1 three times beat Mr Ward's record of ■i67; 1 scored 344 for the M.C'.C. v. Kent; 318, not out. for Gloucestershire v. Yorkshire, when Hill, Ulyett, Emmett, Lockwood, and others were bowling against me; and 400, not out, for the United South of England against the 22 of Grimsby. Since then I have played regularly, and this year 1 have. scored well against the Australians, being the only poison who has three times scored over 100 against them.” “Do you consider you play as well now as ever you did ?” “My defence is as goo i, but I can’t punish the bowling as I used to, and, betides, as you get older you lore your activity and can’t field as well. 1 snail only play for the county next season, as my professional duties will keep me at home, I really mean it this time. I shall only take abo.it three weeks’ holiday next year.” *‘ 1 suppose you find cricket interferes with your practice ?” 1 asked. “ A great deal ; p diems don’t like an assistant, nevermind how good he is. You see, 1 have a good p active which inc.-eases evftry w nter when I am at home, and decreases in the summer when lam away from home. That is the real reason that I shall not play ranch away from home next season.” “Have yon ever been hurt seriously in the cricket field?” “Oh no ! not at alii- Split a finger now and again, and once sprained my ankle. This year 1 have had more accidents than all the years 1 have played cricket. Finger split open twice and a spraine I leg which laid me up—or ra'h- r ought to have laid me up But I never stopped playing for a day, although very lame.” 1 then inquired whether any member of his family was likely to uphold the famous name in the cricM-t field when ho and hia elder brother. Dr E. M. Grace* ceased to play. “Yes, I hope so,” lie replied; “I think my son, W. G. Grace, junr.. will, he promises to be a very good cricketer.” “ Mr Sp iff >rtb says you are far and away the best cricketer in England, and after yo"r Mr A. 6. S eel. What does your modesty say to this ?’ “It says that A. G. Steel is a grand allround cricketer, and that I would rather nave him on my side than any other crickoler I know. Yon will find,” he went on, m ready to another string of questions, “ plenty of good crick -lei a cropping up from time to time, and some years will bring forth more than o hers. The North Ot EnJa"d certainly have brought out more than the South, but 1 have good reason to think that the South will be more prolific of good men during the next two oi three seasons. Surrey has two or three very promising professionals, and Gloucestershire several amateurs as well as Painter, the proiessional.” “ Cricket grounds of to-day are, as a rue, much better kept than th y used to he when I was a young man and they are far more numerous too. As regards the clubs, those of the Noith—such as the Harrogate Club, which you rightly mention—are ce 1 taiuly stronger than the Souihern ones, in bawling especially; hut that is only because they ate content to practice cr cket more, an 1 bowling in particular. Practice is everything. Yes, the cricket rulesare now all that is requited, but they might and ought to be made plainer for the umpires, who evidently don’t understand the n always.” “ How about the p >pnlini yof the game?” “It has increased enormously, and lawn tennis has not succeeded in affecting it. The visits of the Australians have served to attract more universal attention to it than it ever enjoyed before ; ami the Americans are taking it, up con amore. The Philadelphian team which was over here this season consisted of a very fair lot, and they will lake a lot of heating in a few years’ time. Cricket is also said to have taken root in Holland, but I know nothing about that,” •* What rules of bea th, Mr Grace, would you la; down, especially for those who are not endowed with such a physique as yours?” “ Merely the ordinary common sense ones. No late hours ; moderation in all things, and plenty of test. In mo I oration tobacco certainly does no harm ; but 1 don’t smoke.” Dr Grace was ra her reticent in regard to my inquiries as to his opinion of the individual merits of the Australian team. He pionounced them “a very good lot of cricketers,” but would make no invidious distinction as to their play or other matters. I then asked his opinion on two technicalities of the game which have been discussed of late. He says that a fast bowler can “break” both ways, bat admits that this cannot be done with precision. The other bad reference to a recent occurrence : the middle stump was bowled so as to fall nearly out of the ground, but owing to the two outside stumps pinching, the bails did noc fall. “If the stumps and bails,” said I the Oracle, “ are properly made and pitched this could not occur ; hut supposing it did happen the verdict would depend upon the umpire, whether be says * out’ or not. If I weie umpire I should certain y give it out.” The claims of Mr • trace’s patients now required his attendance elsewhere, and the i interview came to an end.