Gloucestershire presented with Billy Midwinter's bat during England vs Australia ODI
29 September 2024
Gloucestershire was delighted to be presented with the original playing bat of Billy Midwinter during the interval of the England vs Australia ODI in Bristol this afternoon.
Born in the Forest of Dean in 1851, Billy is the only Test player to have played for England against Australia and for Australia against England, and his bat will be placed on permanent display in The Museum and Learning Centre at the Seat Unique Stadium in recognition to his unique achievement.
A British national, Billy and his family emigrated to Australia in 1861 and Billy was selected to play for Australia in what became recognised as the first ever Test Match against England in 1877.
Earlier, having impressed the one and only WG Grace whilst playing for Victoria during England’s tour of Australia in the winter of 1873/74, Billy was “persuaded” by WG that his duty was to be playing for Gloucestershire, the county of his birth, when he returned to England in 1877.
Billy stayed in England, playing four seasons for Gloucestershire before returning to Australia in 1881 when for the next three years he "commuted" regularly between Australia and England, playing cricket all year round during which time he represented both England and Australia at Test level, finally returning permanently to Australia in 1884 before his career came to an end in 1887.
After finishing his career, Billy gave his bat to his Australian friend and club colleague from Bendigo, William Pearce. Pearce's great great grandson, Neil, attended today's ODI with his brother-in-law, Ian Davidson, to present Gloucestershire with Billy's bat for permanent display in the Museum and Learning Centre.
For more information about the museum and the Gloucestershire Cricket Heritage Trust, please click here
