Dr. W. G. Grace champion cricketer all round

by A.C. de Silva

CRICKET: Brothers playing together in the same team. This is not a common sight, but it is a pleasant one. In November 1963 somewhat as achievement was made in cricket when three brothers A. G. Kripal Singh - the captain, Milkha Singh and Satwender Singh played for Madras. This was the first time that such a fraternal combination had turned out to play in the National Cricket Championship of India. There were, of course plenty of instances of two brothers appearing for the same team.

In no branch of sport has anyone ever enjoyed such an unquestioned supremacy as that of W. G. Grace on the cricket fields. In his great days, he stood alone, without a rival.

A rare combination of qualities went to the making of W. G. Grace. When he was in his prime, no sun was too hot and no day too long for him.

It is on record that when, for a cricketer, he was no longer young, he spent the whole night by the bedside of a patient, and on the following day stepped on to the Clifton College grounds and scored over 200 runs.

This naturally made one thumb the record book and go through the pages to find out similar instances in Test cricket. It was not, however, surprising to find that the champion, Dr. W. G. Grace, should be concerned in the very first instance of three brothers playing for England. All records in the game seen to have their starting point in the venerable doctor.

In the fourth Test match in Anglo-Australian cricket and in the only Test of 1800 played at the Oval on September 6, 7 and 8 W. G. Grace and his brothers E. M. and G. F. played for England. England won the match by five wickets and 'W.G' played a great part in it. He opened the innings with E. M.', put on 91 runs and, while wickets fell at the other end, went on in great style to score 152 runs.

This was the first Test century for England. 'W. G.' who came sixth in the order in the second innings scored 9 not out and was at the wicket when the winning stroke was made.

'E. M.' scored 36 and a 'duck' while 'G.F.' was unfortunate to bag a 'pair' in the two innings. He, however, made a unique catch to dismiss Bonner. The hit was so high that by the time the ball came to rest in 'G.F.'s hands the batsmen had run twice and were starting the third! It is sad to note that within a month after the Test, 'G.F.' died after catching a chill. More than ten years after this another instance went on record, though all the three brothers did not play for the same side. While F. Hearne played for the three brothers did not play for the same side. While F. Hearne played for South Africa, A. Hearne and G. C. Hearne played for England.

In this Cape Town Test of 1981-92 there was also another of the same name. J. T. Hearne, the famous all-rounder, a cousin of the brothers, played for England, so that there were really four Hearnes taking part in the same match.

F. Hearne who had really represented England in two Tests of 1988-89 against South Africa, scored 24 and 23 in the Cape Town match. A. Hearne scored 9 while G. G. Hearne failed to score. The Hearne brothers played for Kent while J. T. Hearne appeared for Middlesex.

The first instance of three brothers in a country side must have been that of the three Graces appearing for Gloucestershire. The Hearnes and other combinations followed later.