DrWolverine
U19 Cricketer
Batting
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Arthur Shrewsbury vs WG Grace
- Thread starter DrWolverine
- Start date
sayon basak
International Debutant
Grace vs Ranjitsinghji would be closer.
DrWolverine
U19 Cricketer
Raanjitsinhji played between 1896-1902
Shrewsbury played between 1881-1893
Grace played between 1880-1899
Shrewsbury played between 1881-1893
Grace played between 1880-1899
DrWolverine
U19 Cricketer
DrWolverine
U19 Cricketer
Why do you say so?
I mean their test careers overlapped a lot and they have similar records.
Prince EWS
Global Moderator
Tests weren't anywhere near as important them as they are now, and Grace was much better in county cricket.
Patience and Accuracy+Gut
State Vice-Captain
Grace easily.
Grace still pretty easily tbh.
Grace played from 1864. His peak was pre-1880.
sayon basak
International Debutant
Grace could arguably be placed ahead of anyone who is not named Bradman. Just saying that I'd be closer, not that it would actually be close.
Coronis
International Coach
Well in their day, tests weren’t necessarily considered the highest form of cricket (which partly continued all the way into the interwar period, and for non-Ashes matches even further). Grace’s great exploits in County and First Class cricket which was considered the pinnacle at the time are well documented, and they dwarf Shrewsbury’s. Grace was also 8 years older than him, and debuted in tests at 32, Shrewsbury was 25. Grace also played until 50 in tests, whereas Shrewsbury only played until 37. The similar number of matches here also shows that tests weren’t considered as highly - Grace played far fewer of them despite playing for so long, he just didn’t bother.
sayon basak
International Debutant
Grace scored lots of runs against teams with 16 or 18 fielders. Did Shrewsbury do that?
Coronis
International Coach
Probably not as many but some still, his FC career started 10 years later. (I don’t know if those may have counted as FC, probably)
Before 1903 English tours abroad were private business ventures with no official sanction. Leading amateurs like Grace often stayed at home. The County Championship was not formalised until 1890.
During the 19th century the most important fixture was Gentlemen (Amateurs) v Players (Professionals). Grace averaged 43 in these matches, Shrewsbury 37. The Players usually had stronger bowling, presenting more of a challenge for Grace.
A defensive batsman, Shrewsbury played some of the greatest innings on rain-damaged turf. Grace excelled on so-called “fiery” pitches – fast surfaces with uneven bounce. In his younger days he looked to hit fast bowlers quickly out of the attack.
During the 19th century the most important fixture was Gentlemen (Amateurs) v Players (Professionals). Grace averaged 43 in these matches, Shrewsbury 37. The Players usually had stronger bowling, presenting more of a challenge for Grace.
A defensive batsman, Shrewsbury played some of the greatest innings on rain-damaged turf. Grace excelled on so-called “fiery” pitches – fast surfaces with uneven bounce. In his younger days he looked to hit fast bowlers quickly out of the attack.
Coronis
International Coach
Excluding the Australian tours they did (Grace only toured Australia once, Shrewsbury did 4 times but they never did together) - there FC stats in the seasons they both played (1875-1902)
Grace (age 27-54)
612 matches 1155 innings (74) 39650 @ 36.68 75 tons
Shrewsbury (age 19-46)
464 matches 754 innings (80) 24196 @ 35.90 54 tons
Lot more not outs for Shrewsbury, boosting his average, and also a much lighter load. And of course, this is the older Grace. His batting peak was 1868 through 1876 (arguably 66), quite young but ridiculous. Grace averaged 50+ in 11 seasons in England, vs Shrewsbury’s 4 (+1 Australian tour). 8 of these happened before Shrewsbury’s career began.
Grace (age 27-54)
612 matches 1155 innings (74) 39650 @ 36.68 75 tons
Shrewsbury (age 19-46)
464 matches 754 innings (80) 24196 @ 35.90 54 tons
Lot more not outs for Shrewsbury, boosting his average, and also a much lighter load. And of course, this is the older Grace. His batting peak was 1868 through 1876 (arguably 66), quite young but ridiculous. Grace averaged 50+ in 11 seasons in England, vs Shrewsbury’s 4 (+1 Australian tour). 8 of these happened before Shrewsbury’s career began.