MEMORIES OF “W.G”

Manawatu Times, Volume 62, Issue 19, 23 January 1937, Page 11 (Supplement)

MEMORIES OF “W.G”

TRUE SPIRIT OF CRICKET The razing of the old Crystal Palace has brought a flood of associated memories, particularly of sport, in the newspapers. Some of these deal with the period when Dr. W. G. Grace played at the Palace. When ••W.G.” accepted an offer to form a club there he brought with him an old Gloucestershire professional, Billy Murch, as an odd-job man. It is said that Billy was very -deaf, and Dr. Grace used to carry a police whistle to blow whenever he wanted the old man. One sporting writer says, in his recollections, that "He was amazingly good with young players, and he could pick out a promising boy at once. He taught them the spirit of cricket, too.” This writer goes on to tell a story of how “W.G.” liked to win, and got up to all sorts of tricks In unimportant matches. One day, while bowling at the Crystal Palace, he v.'as unable to get a man out. At last, he pointed up towards the bright sun, and exclaimed to the stubborn batsman. "Book at those ducks up there. Can you see them?” The batsman looked up at the sun, trying to make out the quite imaginary ducks. “Oh, they’re gone now,” chuckled the doctor. Then, in “the true spirit of cricket” the Grand Old Man bowled the sun-blinded batsman with the next ball.