Cricket with Grace

‘He was known everywhere as “The Champion” and for half a century he bestrode the cricket fields of England like a Colossus.’ So wrote the novelist Arthur Willis of W.G. Grace, the greatest cricketer of all time whose name still stirs the imagination of cricket fans the world over. ‘W.G.’, the charismatic, larger-than-life plater who could draw the crowds in their thousands and whose outstanding skills with bat and ball could transform even the most lacklustre of games.

It has been 75 years since ‘W.G.’ died and, surprisingly for such a legendary sporting figure, no full-scale anthology of writings, photographs and cartoons has ever been compiled. Delving deep into cricket literature and archive, David Rayvern Allen has now put this right. Cricket With Grace is a unique collection in words and pictures of the life and achievements of this remarkable sportsman.

Here are writings dating from 1895, contributions from one time England captains Archie MacLaren and ‘Plum’ Warner, poems and songs, little known ‘W.G.’ stories, as well as the old favourites, and many rare and unpublished photographs. Cricket With Grace vividly brings to life the man who is often cited as the father of the modern game.