Gloucestershire County Cricket Club Quiz

Answer: 1870

This is the date given on the club's own website, although others give 1871 as the year. Dr Henry Mills Grace (father of W.G.) was the prime mover in establishing the club. Their first county game was on 2 June 1870, against Surrey, which they won.

Answer: William Gilbert

Even people with little interest in sport have heard of W.G. Grace. He played until the age of 50 and was as well known for his gamesmanship as his play. It is said that when he was given out early in a match, he refused to leave the field saying, 'They've come to see me bat, not you umpire. Play on.'

Answer: Bristol

Its the County Ground in Bristol, situated just off the M32 motorway. Rather ironic as Bristol is no longer classed as being in Gloucestershire.

Answer: Wicket keeper

His real name is Robert Charles Russell, and he was an eccentric and individual wicket keeper. He was forced into retirement in 2004 by a back injury, and later returned to Gloucestershire as part of the coaching team. Jack Russell is also well known for his paintings.

Answer: Wally Hammond

Bill Edrich was of a similar era, but played for Middlesex. Jack Hobbs was earlier (1905-1934) and from Surrey while Len Hutton was later and a Yorkshireman. Wally Hammond had been rated as one of the top four players in cricket history, alongside W.G. Grace, Jack Hobbs, and Don Bradman.

Answer: South Africa

A fantastic all rounder who took numerous wickets, he was a prolific striker of the ball. Due to South Africa's apartheid regime, he was unable to fulfil his potential at Test level as his country was barred from playing. He played for Gloucestershire during the late 1960s and during the 1970s, establishing many records along the way.

These included scoring a century before lunch on the first day of a match, and two sets of hat tricks, all given out LBW.

Answer: Worcestershire

Tom left the club having been deprived of the captaincy. His brother Ken, and nephew David, were also Gloucestershire captains, although David is probably better known for his stint as Chairman of the Test selection committee. Tom Graveney scored 11 Test centuries, four of which were made after he reached the age of 39.

Answer: Cheltenham

All are places in Gloucestershire, but it is Cheltenham which plays host to two weeks of matches at the end of July and early August each year. Matches are played at the Cheltenham College's ground, and the event had been established as part of the cricketing calendar for over 100 years.

Answer: Courtney Walsh

All were great fast bowlers and played in England. Garner was for Somerset, Holding for Derbyshire, and Lancashire and Marshall for Hampshire. Courtney Walsh played for Gloucestershire from 1984 until 1998, taking 800 first class wickets for the county and scoring over 2500 runs, despite not being renowned for his batting skills.

Answer: Gladiators

Alliteration rules. All the options are names of aircraft. The Gloster Gladiator was built by Gloster Aircraft Company, and was the last bi-plane to be used by the RAF. It saw some service in WWII, but was superceded by the Hurricane and Spitfire. The Meteor and Javelin are other aircraft built by GAC. The Comet was built by De Havilland.