Pirate Galaxy » also taking 12 contested marks. Rayner has a cl

In crickets history, perhaps only Don Bradman has made as much of an international impact as WG Grace. Grace, however, played in an era when Englands empire was at its height and his career spanned a period when sport changed from a casual pastime into a beast of global interest. Such was his fame that it was said that he was the best-known Englishman aside from William Gladstone. But while there is no questioning Graces reputation or ability, he was a prickly character, used to getting his own way both on and off the pitch. His falling out with Gloucestershire in 1899 highlighted this side of his personality.While Grace was nominally an amateur - a vital distinction in a era where class was prevalent across all society - the reality was that he earned large sums of money from cricket, certainly more than any contemporary professional. And he was always on the lookout for ways to maximise his earning potential. Wisden noted: He was, throughout his career, quite breathtakingly grasping when his eye caught the glint of hard cash.In 1898 he received an offer from the Crystal Palace Company (CPC) in south London inviting him to help them form a first-class cricket club. Although Grace had captained Gloucestershire since their formation in 1870 - and since 1873 had almost single-handedly raised sides - he saw no conflict between continuing in that role and accepting the offer from London. He had, after all, managed to run Gloucestershire at the same time as he had played a considerable amount of other cricket for Gentlemen v Players, England, North v South etc.Negotiations with the CPC culminated in an announcement in The Times on October 11, 1898 to the effect that Grace had agreed to run the London club and also to move from Bristol to Sydenham to be able to devote his whole time and attention to the new club. The deal guaranteed Grace ￡600 a year and a share of gate money. Even Grace seemed to realise the response that this would provoke, for the following day the same paper published a telegram from him stating that he no intention of retiring from the Gloucestershire XI.That winter, Grace moved to London and threw his energies into establishing the new venture, which included redeveloping the site at Crystal Palace. Gloucestershire, where is brother, EM, was still secretary, remained silent.The 1899 season started with Grace, who was also Englands captain, leading his side in a few matches, but perhaps what really concentrated minds in the west country was that four other Gloucestershire players were included in his first match. Grace also staged a coup by arranging a game between South of England and the touring Australians on his new ground. Over the two days, 18,000 paid to watch. From there, Grace journeyed a few miles to Blackheath to lead Gloucestershire in their first outing of the summer against Kent. Three more games around the Home Counties followed, with mixed results, but Grace did not appear to have any inkling that there was a potential problem.On his return to Sydenham from the last of those games on May 28 that there was became all too clear when he discovered a letter from the Gloucestershire committee, who had met on May 16, curtly demanding to know which matches he intended to play for the county. Grace was livid, fuming that it questioned his loyalty and commitment in what he had already hinted was likely to be his final season with them. His response did not pull any punches. He resigned as captain, after making it clear he would have played in nearly all our matches and his final sentence was unambiguous. I have the greatest affection for the county of my birth, he wrote, but for the committee, as a body, the greatest contempt. Gilbert Jessop later recalled that the tone of Graces response was a surprise as a majority of them were close personal friends of the Old Man.Friends subsequently urged him to retract this parting shot, but Grace was unrepentant. Go back and tell the committee to underline it a hundred times, he told them. The committee accepted his resignation with regret. Two months later he wrote of them that they were unable to speak the truth and are a bad lot.Within a fortnight, Grace had played his final Test and lost the England captaincy as well. His batting was as effective as ever, but he had become a liability in the field - he was, after all, almost 51 and nearly 18 stone - and had been barracked by the crowd. He told friends that the ground was getting too far away. After the first Test at Trent Bridge he is reported to have sat on the train with his old friend FS Jackson and muttered: Its all over, Jakker. I shant play again. He didnt.Graces time in Sydenham was happy, although marred by personal tragedy with the premature deaths of his daughter and eldest son. Although the London County venture started promisingly when they were granted first-class status in 1900, the public never really warmed to what were essentially friendly matches, and in 1905 they lost that status and with it the ability to attract decent players. In 1908, the same summer that Grace played his final first-class match, the grounds and club were locked when the parent company ran out of funds.His feud with Gloucestershire was, fortunately, short lived. In 1902 he was made a life member of the county and that same year took a side to Bristol to play in a charity match and was warmly received. That encouraged him to arrange home and away matches between London County and Gloucestershire in 1903. In June, he led his new side to victory over his old in what was to be his last game in the county, a fortnight after also winning the home leg. It was almost the last hurrah of London County, but the bridges had been mended.Is there an incident from the past you would like to know more about? E-mail us with your comments and suggestions.BibliographyWisden Cricket Monthly - VariousThe Cricketer - VariousWisden Cricketers Almanack 1998WG Grace - A Life - Simon Rae (Faber & Faber 1998)WG - Robert Low (Richard Cohen 1977)Cricket At The Crystal Palace - Brian Pearce (Brian Pearce 2005)Joe Flacco Youth Jersey . Bryant, who signed a five-year, $34 million contract as a free agent with Cleveland in March, reported symptoms on Monday morning, a team spokesman said. Royce Freeman Broncos Jersey .C. -- Kemba Walker and the Charlotte Bobcats got off to a fast start, and the Sacramento Kings were never quite able to catch up. http://www.broncosrookiestore.com/Broncos-John-Elway-Jersey/ . The Croatian served 21 aces and hit 42 winners against Sijsling, who double-faulted to give Cilic a 4-3 lead in the deciding set. "All the players, they know me and they were really happy to see me and they were really happy that this is over for me," Cilic said. Gary Zimmerman Broncos Jersey . Following a lopsided 5-2 loss against the New Jersey Devils on Wednesday night, Paul MacLean told reporters that "theres a lack of focus, theres a lack of leadership and theres a lack of preparation" with his struggling team. That came on the heels of Bryan Murray taking the unusual step of going into the locker room at the Prudential Center and addressing the players himself. Karl Mecklenburg Jersey . They were putting most of their energy into a record-setting offensive display.With this years AFL national and rookie drafts over, attention turns to the 2017 crop. Who will be next years Andrew McGrath, Tim Taranto or Hugh McCluggage?ESPN.com.au AFL draft expert Christopher Doerre - aka Knightmare - may have the answers.He has assessed the best talents for next year, whittling down the names to just 20 standout performers.His list is in alphabetical order.KNIGHTMARES TOP 20 DRAFT PROSPECTS FOR 2017Connor Ballenden Part of the Brisbane Academy, the 198cm, 95kg, Ballenden is among 2017s most promising talls. He is a strong contested mark in the forward 50m, attacks the ball in flight, hits the scoreboard and is also an effective tap ruckman. His 15 disposals, nine marks (three contested) and five goals against Tasmania during division two of the AFL Under-18 Championships is just a small glimpse into what Ballenden can do.Noah Balta Freakishly athletic key forward, at 193cm, 88kg, who breaks the lines like a small or medium size running specialist. He possesses rare speed, leap and some Lance Buddy Franklin-like traits. Balta kicked 18 goals from his eight TAC Cup games and with continued improvement has the scope to be as good as anyone in the 2017 draft class.Jarrod Brander It is to be determined whether the 195cm, 83kg, Jarrod Brander will remain part of GWS Academy. He is regarded as one of 2017s premier key forward prospects with a combination of speed, agility and strong hands overhead. From his four TAC Cup games in 2016 he averaged a very promising 2.5 goals and 6.5 marks per game.Callum Coleman-Jones Coleman-Jones is the most physically advanced of the talls from the 2017 draft class at 199cm, 98kg. He is proficient as a tap ruckman who plays with a physical edge and uses his size effectively. He is a dominant contested-marking force who reads the ball in flight as well as any of next years ruckman, taking powerful contested marks inside the forward 50m. Coleman-Jones also hits the scoreboard and pushes into the back half for intercept marks. His 10 contested marks from four AFL Under-18 Championships games shows what a contested marking force he already is.Hunter Clark Clean kick on both his left and right, Clark plays predominantly as an outside player, running off half-back and pushing up onto the wings. Clark, 186cm, 79kg, possesses pace, moving easily through traffic and displaying a high leap and strong hands overhead. While best suited to playing on the outside, Clark does not shirk the issue when it is his time to go, winning the contested ball and laying tackles.Oscar Clavarino Clavarino as a key defender plays an accountable style of game, shutting down his direct opponent and demonstrating impressive strength in the one-on-one contests. At 194cm, 80kg, Clavarino was arguably one of the best shutdown key defenders in the TAC Cup in 2016 for and also played all four games for Vic Country during this years AFL Under-18 Championships.Luke Davies-Uniacke The midfielder and forward only played two TAC Cup games and one Under-18 Championship match this season, but at 187cm, 86kg, he is a name to listen out for in 2017. Davies-Uniacke has pace, skill, size, strength overhead and ability to hit the scoreboard, traits that will surely have clubs drooling.Jackson Edwards The son of Adelaides Tyson, Jackson Edwards is eligible as a possible father-son choice. Edwards, 184cm, 73kg, has the production behind him in the SANFL Under-18s and Reserves. He is a left-footed midfielder displaying class, using the ball cleanly on both feet, providing run and winning his own ball through the midfield.Darcy Fogarty A dynamic goal kicker, Darcy Fogarty kicked seven goals from three AFL Under-18 Championships games. The 190cm, 86kg, Fogarty is equally adept through the midfield with impressive contested possession and clearance numbers through the SANFL Under-18s, suggesting potential as a rotating midfielder/forward.Joel Garner One of the prime ball users of the 2017 draft class, Garner, 184cm, 78kg, is a classy kick with the versatility to play on a forward or back flank or through the midfield. He is a strong, athletic mark overhead and a damaging player who is expected to play a more prominent role for Eastern in 2017 through the midfield.ddddddddddddStephen Giro With disposal numbers exceeding any other midfielder in the 2017 draft class, Giro has been outstanding through the SANFL Under-s during the first half of the season with countless 30+ and 40+ disposal games. He has also adjusted seamlessly to Reserves football, placing in the bests in six of his eight games. At 177cm, 70kg, Giro has the capacity to play inside or outside, using the ball cleanly and moving through traffic easily.Sam Hayes The only player during the AFL Under-18 Championships to be awarded All-Australian as a bottom ager was the 200cm, 90kg, Sam Hayes. He has proven effective both as a ruckman and key forward - Hayes is arguably the most advanced tap ruckman from the 2017 draft class and is also a strong contested mark around the ground and forward of centre. He averaged one contested mark per game this season in the TAC Cup, attacking the ball in flight and holding his position in body-on-body contests.Isaac Hewson Inside midfielder already playing Reserves for Norwood in the SANFL. At 183cm, 79kg, Hewson is a stoppage specialist who wins high contested possession and clearance numbers. His game is very advanced game for his age and is one of the more ready-to-play midfielders among this group.Jack Higgins Arguably the most advanced player in this draft class with several games of 30 or more disposals in the TAC Cup, also kicking 19 goals from his 10 games. At 176cm, 73kg, Higgins is a classy ball user who wins his share of the contested ball through the midfield. He is also a natural crumber who keeps his feet, draws high free kicks and finishes effectively around goal.Lochie OBrien Finding a lot of the ball and doing his best work on the outside, Lochie OBrien at 184cm, 74kg is an outside runner who evades tackles, uses the ball cleanly on his left foot, is strong overhead and in one-on-one contests. OBrien averaged 24 disposals per game through his five TAC Cup contests and has also showed proficiency winning the contested ball.Lachlan Pascoe Physically already a very mature half-back flanker at 189cm, 94kg and averaging 18 disposals, five marks and five rebound 50s from his three SANFL League games, Pascoe is among the most advanced players. He provides run off half-back, takes marks one-on-one, is a penetrating kick who hits his targets and is also a genuine goalkicking threat when he pushes forward.Ethan Penrith The 179cm, 74kg outside line breaker takes on the game at every opportunity, dodging and weaving past opposition players effortlessly. His skills are silky, using the ball efficiently and impacting the game heavily with each possession. For someone who does his best work on the outside, Penrith displays an aggression uncommon in line breakers, bumping opposition players with force, tackling and winning the contested ball.Cameron Rayner Strong contested-marking, 185cm, 84kg, forward who kicked 17 goals from eight TAC Cup games, leading Western Jets goalkicking and also taking 12 contested marks. Rayner has a classy look to him, avoiding tackles, hitting targets and finishing on goal from outside 50m.Jaidyn Stephenson Came onto the radar in 2015 with a dynamic finals series for Eastern Rangers. Stephenson confirmed his reputation as a big game player, giving eventual premier Sandringham a scare during the first round of the TAC Cup finals kicking four important goals. Stephenson is an athletic forward at 188cm, 76kg who is freakish at ground level and is a high leaper who does his best work close to goal.James Worpel Big-bodied midfielder already at 185cm, 82kg who thrives on the contested side of the game. He was already in 2016 one of the contested ball and clearance winning beasts of the TAC Cup and may lead the competition in those categories in 2017. Worpel fends off powerfully, reminiscent of Dustin Martin and often is found diving courageously to either tackle the opposing ball carrier or smother their kicks. ' ' '