| part of a series of articles on W. G. Grace |
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Seasons |
| Career |
| Family E. M. Grace (brother) |
W.G. Grace had arguably his most successful season in 1871. It was summarised by a leading cricket historian as his annus mirabilis.
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According to Harry Altham, 1871 was Grace's annus mirabilis, except that he produced another outstanding year in 1895.[1] In all first-class matches in 1871, a total of 17 centuries were scored and Grace accounted for 10 of them, including the first century in a first-class match at Trent Bridge.[2] He averaged 78.25 and the next best average by a batsman playing more than a single innings was 39.57, barely more than half his figure. His aggregate for the season was 2,739 and this was the first time that anyone had scored 2,000 first-class runs in a season; Harry Jupp was next best with 1,068. Grace's highest score was 268 for South v. North at The Oval.[3] He took 79 wickets at 17.02 with a best analysis of 7–67. He claimed five wickets in an innings 5 times and twice had 10 in a match.[4] Besides Grace and apart from Jupp and Ted Pooley who were the highest runscorers, other leading batsmen in 1871 were Richard Daft, Robert Carpenter, Fred Grace, Henry Charlwood and Ephraim Lockwood.[5] The leading bowlers were Southerton, Alfred Shaw, Jem Shaw, Frank Farrands, Grace, Willsher, Street and Emmett. [6]
Grace began the season in May with a brilliant innings of 181 for MCC against Surrey at Lord's, enabling MCC to win by an innings and 23 runs.[7] A week later, playing for MCC against Yorkshire, also at Lord's, his second innings of 98 (run out) in a low scoring game effectively decided the match which MCC won by 55 runs.[8] After scoring another century in an all-amateurs match he played for South v North at Lord's and scored 178 which enabled his team to win by an innings and 49 runs.[9] After making his 5th century in five matches with 162 for the Gentlemen against Cambridge University, Grace made his first appearance of the season for Gloucestershire, this time playing against MCC and, with scores of 49 and 34 not out, he failed for the first time this season to score a century, but he still finished on the winning side, by 5 wickets.[10]
A number of low or useful scores followed but then in July he cut loose again with an outstanding innings of 189 not out (carrying his bat) in a Married v Single game at Lord's, his Single team winning by an innings and 73 runs.[11] This innings was played on a "sticky wicket" after rain and many people considered it the finest of Grace's career, though Grace himself disagreed.[12]
After 146 for MCC against Surrey at The Oval, Grace produced his season highlight in another South v North match, also at The Oval, when he made his highest career score to date of 268, having been dismissed by Jem Shaw for nought in the first innings. It was to no avail as the match was drawn.[13] But the occasion produced a memorable and oft-quoted comment by Jem Shaw who ruefully said: "I puts the ball where I likes and he puts it where he likes".[12]
After another century against Kent, he played for Gentlemen v Players at the Royal Brunswick Ground, Brighton, in August and, for the second time, followed a first innings "duck" with a double century.[14] When Gloucestershire went to Trent Bridge to play Nottinghamshire, Grace scored 79 and 116 but his team lost by 10 wickets after Jem Shaw took 13 wickets in the match.[15] It was the first time that anyone had scored a century on the ground and Grace's presence ensured a bumper crowd with over £400 being taken at the gate. This money went a long way towards the £1500 that Nottinghamshire needed to erect the Trent Bridge Pavilion.[12]
Gloucestershire played four county matches in 1871. They twice defeated Surrey by an innings margin but had less success against Nottinghamshire, drawing with them at Clifton College Close Ground and then losing by 10 wickets at Trent Bridge. The team had certain regulars but tended to include occasional and even guest players, some of whom weakened the side, whereas Nottinghamshire generally turned out a full-strength eleven. The key Gloucestershire players were the three Graces, batsman Matthews, wicket-keeper Bush (who was also an England rugby union international), slow left-armer Miles and all-rounders Strachan and Townsend. Newcomers in 1871 were Frederic Carter and George Wyatt who both made a number of appearances over the next few seasons.
Grace had numerous nicknames during his career including "The Doctor", after he achieved his medical qualification, and "The Old Man", as he reached the veteran stage. But he was most auspiciously nicknamed "The Champion".[16] In the famous poem At Lord's by Francis Thompson, Grace was hailed as "The Champion of the Centuries".</ref> He was first acclaimed as "the Champion Cricketer" by Lillywhite's Companion in recognition of his exploits in 1871.[17]
But Grace's great year was marred by the death of his father in December and, as he was still a medical student only, he had to increase his involvement with the United South XI to cover the family's loss of income.[18]