Memories of W. G. Grace.

Taranaki Central Press, Volume IV, Issue 352, 5 February 1937, Page 2

Memories of W. G. Grace.

The razing of the old Crystal Palace hais 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 ho brought with him an old Gloucestershire Jprofessional, Billy as an odd-fjolb man. It said that Billy was very deaf, and Dr. Grace used to carry a 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 would picn 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 was unable to get' a man out. At last, he pointed up towards the bright sun, and exclaimed to a stubborn 'batsman. “Look at" those ducks up there. You can see them?” The bate man looked up at the sun,- trying to make ou 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.