by Abhishek Mukherjee

This Grace family anecdote is not as well-known as some others (or at least I think it isn't).

It took place on 20 Aug 1888, during a match between Gloucestershire and the touring Australians.

Till Bradman came along, WG was easily the greatest cricketer in history. And WG had dethroned – arguably – held his elder brother EM from that spot.

However, the 46-year-old EM's form was son the wane at this point. WG had made up his mind to leave him out of the XI when he walked out to toss. He won the toss and elected to bat.

However, no one had actually informed EM that he had been dropped.

He had padded up the moment he got to know of the outcome of the toss. And now, he accompanied the umpires, Frank Farrands and Charles Pullin, to the centre.

In other words, not only had EM picked himself, he had also decided his batting position at the top!

For once WG was in shock. He rushed to Australian manager Charles William Beal: "Look here, CW, here's a nice mess I'm in! Look at EM out there with pads and everything on. He isn't picked!"

While all this was shappening, EM yelled from the crease, "Come on, WG!"

He had also picked his opening partner, then.

After the match, Beal leaked the course of events to EM.

There was no trace of embarrassment: "What! Not picked? I'd like to know who is going to leave me out! EM is going to play for Gloucestershire as long as EM likes!"

And he did. When Gloucestershire played the Australians again at the same ground on that same tour, he scored 37 and 12.