The 1899 series was Grace's first Test summer for three years; the selectors, of whom Grace was one, had picked him at his own insistence. He was 50 years and 320 days old at the close of the match — still, 125 years later, the oldest captain in Test cricket. He weighed eighteen stone and his fielding range, never wide, had collapsed.
Australia won the toss and made 252; Wilfred Rhodes, on debut, opened the bowling and took 4 for 58, including Monty Noble for his first Test wicket. England replied with 193 — Grace 28, batting at three, caught at slip off Ernie Jones. Australia made 230 second time round; Trumper, on debut, made 11. England were set 290 in over a day and finished on 155 for 7, the match drawn — saved by Rhodes batting time at the close.
The Nottingham crowd had barracked Grace through the second day for slow ground fielding at point. After the Test he travelled back to London, met the selectors at Lord's and asked whether they thought Archie MacLaren should play in the Second Test. They said yes. He resigned on the spot, and announced his retirement from Test cricket.
The symbolism is extraordinary. Rhodes, who would play with Bradman at The Oval in 1930, made his debut in the same Test that Grace played his last; Grace's Test career had begun in 1880 against Australia at the Oval. Trumper, who would die at 37 in 1915, made his debut in the same match. Three eras of cricket touched at Trent Bridge.