England
1915-10-23
William Gilbert Grace, the Victorian giant who had effectively invented modern batsmanship and dominated English cricket for forty years, died at his home in Mottingham on 23 October 1915. He was 67. The Zeppelin raids over London in his final weeks were said by family to have agitated him beyond endurance.
Nottinghamshire, England
1903-05-19
Arthur Shrewsbury, the Nottinghamshire opener whom W.G. Grace called the only contemporary he would 'rather have in my side', shot himself at his sister's home in Gedling on 19 May 1903 aged 47. Convinced he was incurably ill — though doctors had repeatedly told him otherwise — he had bought a revolver in mid-April and shot himself first in the chest, then in the head when the first wound proved non-fatal. The Notts side at Hove abandoned their match the next morning.
Surrey Cricket Club and the Duchy of Cornwall
1855-04-01
In 1855 Surrey Cricket Club renewed its lease on The Oval with the Duchy of Cornwall for a further twenty-one years at a modest rent, invested in re-laying the square and constructed new seating. The improvements secured The Oval's position as England's second ground, a venue fit for the largest fixtures in the country and, eventually, for international cricket.