The County Ground was purchased by W.G. Grace in 1889, who lived nearby. Although the ground has had a somewhat turbulent history—on several occasions, the county considered leaving it—it remains the home of Gloucestershire and occasionally hosts ODI matches. In 1919, the county sold the venue to Fry’s, the confectionery company, who appointed their own groundsman and, for a time, renamed it. In 1933, the county bought it back. It was sold again in 1976 to Royal & Sun Alliance and finally repurchased in 2004.
The ground may not be visually stunning, but it is steeped in cricketing history. From the moment spectators enter through the Grace Gates, the contributions of legends like Gilbert Jessop and Wally Hammond are unmistakable. The ground is full of character, bordered by trees, and features a solid Edwardian pavilion. The wicket is of good quality and can favor spinners.
Historic Matches and Performances:
- In 1909, Gloucestershire completed a match against Middlesex in a single day.
- In 1939, Tom Goddard took 17 wickets in a single day.
- In 1938, during another Gloucestershire-Middlesex match, Jim Smith scored an uncontrived fifty in just 11 minutes, hitting 6 sixes and 2 fours.
- In 1896, Grace scored a triple century against Sussex here, a feat later matched by Hammond in 1934 against Glamorgan.
Today, the ground functions not only as a cricket venue but also as a general sports center. It includes squash and tennis courts, and in winter, the turf serves as a target area for a golf driving range.
