Tonight's speaker will be remembered as one of those pivotal players who sustained the West Indian Test bowling in the period between the heyday of Wes Hall and Charlie Griffith and the advent of the awesome four-pronged fast bowling attack of the 1980's. He was also a much respected opening bowler for Worcestershire, before earning a similar reputation for his umpiring.

Elegance is normally an adjective ascribed to left-handed batsmen. A cover drive by, say, Graeme Pollock or David Gower was undoubtedly one of the most aesthetic sights that spectators in the last half century have witnessed. It exemplified the beauty of cricket - exquisite timing, unhurried natural strokeplay and a timeless charm.

Right-handers have rarely elicited the same response. Tonight's speaker was one of the exceptions. Tom Graveney earned justified renown as one of the most beguiling of all batsmen. Recollection of his glorious front foot shots warmed the memory over countless winters during his playing days, and many since.

Sir Neville Cardus wrote that "when he is in form Graveney makes batsmanship look the easiest and most natural thing in the world". J.M. Kilburn, in perhaps the best essay on our speaker, commented "his batting, founded on the classical forward strokes, contained an elegance that distinguished him even in the highest company.... He has adorned cricket. In an age preoccupied with accountancy he has given the game warmth and colour and inspiration beyond the tally of the scorebook."

THOMAS WILLIAM GRAVENEY was born at Riding Mill, Northumberland on 16 June 1927. After receiving his education at Bristol Grammar School he joined the Army in 1945 where he was posted to Egypt. He was previously regarded primarily as a bowler. Indeed, he never scored a century as a schoolboy but once took 9 wickets in an innings.

The Middle East fashioned his style as the hard fast wickets gave him the confidence to play straight and hit through the ball. In August 1947 he was invited to Gloucestershire where his older brother, Ken, was already on the staff, for a trial. He was offered terms for the following season and made his debut in the first match in The Parks. Like many great batsmen he started with a duck - bowled Whitcombe. He struggled early on but hit a rich vein of form in the last few weeks of the season which incorporated a maiden century - 114 against Combined Services on Gloucester's Wagon Works ground. He steadily improved during the next two years and played so well in the first half of the 1951 season that he was selected to play for England in the third Test against South Africa at Old Trafford

It was his only Test that summer, but he enhanced his reputation in the following winter when he scored 6 centuries on the M.C.C. tour to the Indian sub-Continent. After having made 15 on his Test debut in the preceeding summer he scored 175 in eight hours in his next Test innings against India at Bombay.

He was to be a regular member of the England side until the end of the ill-fated tour of Australia in 1958-59. The triumverate of Peter May, Colin Cowdrey and Tom Graveney, formed an almost legendary middle-order as England enjoyed a purple patch in the mid/late fifties. Our speaker particularly enjoyed himself against the West Indies in 1957, when he compiled the highest score of his career - 258 - at Trent Bridge and 164 at The Oval. He had earlier caressed his way to 111 in barely two hours against Australia at Sydney at the end of the 1954-55 tour.

He was appointed captain of Gloucestershire in 1959 and immediately lead his County to second place in the Championship. They were in the lead with two matches to play but were then undone by Jim Laker and Tony Lock as they exploited the conditions at Gloucester by taking 19 wickets between them. (It must be remembered that Gloucestershire's strength was in their spin bowling at that time). It is just conceivable that his team may have topped the table had not their captain missed ten games towards the end of the season. Gloucestershire again finished in the top half of the table in the following year but, inexplicably, he was informed that he was to be replaced by an amateur, Tom Pugh, in 1961.

The decision was too much to bear and Graveney left to join Worcestershire. He was then compelled to serve a one-year qualification period. He went on to enjoy the most productive cricket of his career on the better wickets of his new County. He was immediately recalled to the England ranks and made two sumptuous centuries (as well as 97) against Pakistan. However, in an eerie echo, he was then left out of the home series against West Indies after the Australian tour of 1962-63.

England's loss was Worcestershire's gain. In two wonderful seasons, Worcestershire's well-balanced team won their first ever County Championship in 1964 and retained it the following year. Our speaker's batting was a crucial factor in both summers. His aggregate of 2385 runs (avge. 54.20) was the best of any batsman in the former year, which saw him claim his 100th century. His batting with Basil D'Oliveria in 1965, when the pair scored nine centuries between them, has entered Worcestershire folklore. It seems inconceivable at this distance that he was omitted from the England side in both summers as well as the tours to South Africa and Australia in the same period.

However, after England had been roundly thrashed by the West Indies in the first Test of the 1966 series, our speaker was recalled for the next Test at Lord's. The match also marked Basil D'Oliveria's Test debut. He responded in magnificent fashion scoring 96 beautiful runs. Now aged 39, few could have predicted that he was about to re-establish his Test career. He made a century (109) in the next Test, entering the arena with the England side teetering on the brink at 13 -3. He then signed off a memorable summer with a classical 165 at The Oval adding 217 for the eighth wicket with John Murray. He put together another superb innings - 151 this time - against India at Lord's the following year and played a glorious innings of 118 at Port-of-Spain in 1967/68. He also enjoyed a successful series against Australia in 1968; a century eluded him but he had the satisfaction of making 96 when he captained his country whilst Colin Cowdrey was absent at Edgbaston. With Cowdrey still injured, he captained England in the following Test at Headingley.

He scored his final Test century - 109 - at Karachi the following winter. It was a match played in an intimidating atmosphere; student riots eventually curtailed proceedings on the third day, when the match was abandoned.

It had proved a rich, late flowering to his Test career. In 23 Tests since his recall he had amassed 1700 runs at an average of 48.57. He had conquered all types of bowling on a variety of wickets. He was the indisputable master of his craft.

His benefit year now lay in front of him and he must have been looking forward to renewing acquaintances with the West Indies, against whom he had been massively successful over the years. However, after making 75 on the first two days of the series at Old Trafford he fulfilled a commitment to play in a match for his benefit on the Sunday rest day. For this action he was dropped for the following Test at Lord's. It was, by common consent, a callous act by the selectors. Tom Graveney had played the last of his 79 Tests. He left Worcestershire to enormous, heartfelt acclaim in 1970 and slipped quietly out of first-class cricket playing for Queensland in 1971-72.

One of the great post-war careers was over. He had scored a colossal 47,793 runs (avge. 44.91) including 122 centuries. Few men in the history of the game had batted so felicitously and stylishly. For good measure he also held 554 catches (and effected one stumping). Few will recall his leg-break bowling but he took 67 wickets at the reasonable average for a change bowler of 36.26 and returned figures of 5 - 28 against Derbyshire at Bristol in 1953.

He has remained in contact with the game as an administrator, television commentator and, latterly, President of the Council of Cricket Societies.

The Society is extremely proud to welcome such a distinguished guest to their final meeting at Northlands Road

TOM GRAVENEY v HAMPSHIRE

Hampshire were assuredly not one of our guest's favourite teams. He scored fewer runs against Hampshire (1272) and at a lower average (25.44) than any other County. The County's supporters therefore rarely saw him at his best. Derek Shackleton was his bete-noir. He dismissed him on 14 occasions. Jimmy Gray and Peter Sainsbury also enjoyed themselves against him, each taking his wicket 6 times.

His two centuries against the County were both made for Worcestershire. In 1962, his first season with his adopted County, he scored 106 at Worcester. It was an innings that paved the way for his side's eventual victory by 9 wickets.

His second century was in the famous (though some would say infamous) match at Bournemouth in 1965. Worcestershire needed to win the match to enhance their chances of retaining the Championship. The report of the match in the Hampshire Handbook is well worth reproducing:-

"This match caused much controversy. Worcestershire had to win this and their next match against Sussex if they were to hold the Championship. On the first day, thanks to two splendid innings by Headley and Graveney, Worcestershire were strongly placed. In the last half hour they captured Marshall's wicket and Hampshire were 26 - 1. Rain during the night and frequent showers next day caused the wicket to deteriorate but Hampshire were 141 - 4 overnight. Hampshire struggled on the last day as the wicket began to dry but just before lunch Kenyon and Richardson bowled and the follow on was saved. It is the duty of every Captain to try and win the match for his side. Ingleby-Mackenzie declared 147 behind and Kenyon responded by closing his innings after one ball. This left Hampshire 148 to win with plenty of time to do so. The strong sun had by now reduced the pitch to an old fashioned 'sticky' and was unplayable. Hampshire were shot out for 31 in just over an hour. In the circumstances, if the match had taken its normal course the result would probably have been the same."

Worcestershire duly won the final match of the season at Hove to retain the Championship. Our speaker's 49 out of only 166 in his side's first innings proved a crucial factor in that victory.

FURTHER NOTES ON THE WINTER PROGRAMME - from Jack Moore

A very warm welcome to Tom Graveney this evening who comes to us very soon after a hip replacement operation. This is a chance for the lucky Society members who got a ticket for tonight to say farewell to Northlands Road in the company of such a great cricketer.

The first meeting in 2001 on 10 January brings two Hampshire stalwarts of yesteryear Bob Herman and Richard Lewis. Bob's father 'Lofty' visited the Society in December 1981 so that this will be the first time a Hampshire father and son will have spoken to us.

Change of Speaker for February 2000 Tim Lamb is involved with ECB business on 14 February so his place will be taken by Keith Booth.

As you will know, I attend the Council of Cricket Society meetings on behalf of the Society when there is usually one name bandied about by the other delegates as a good speaker which in the past has lead to visits by Allan Stuttard, Stephen Chalke and Keith Hayhurst, all great evenings. This year it was Keith Booth, the Surrey scorer who is also an author. Keith will be talking about Edward Pooley, the Surrey wicket-keeper/batsman who was involved in Hansie Cronje type scandals in Victorian times.

Judging by the mass of favourable reviews I have about his book, His Own Enemy: The Rise and Fall of Edward Pooley we should be in for a great evening.

Anyone who was down at the County Ground during last summer will have been very much aware of the presence of Jimmy Cook. This will be an opportunity to hear his views about the coming season on 11 March.

Chandler's Ford born Jocelyn Galsworthy (great niece of the distinguished novelist and playwright, John Galsworthy) is our last speaker on 11 April. You may have seen her at Northlands Road signing her autobiography during the West Indies match and at Basingstoke recording the last match there on canvas.

Hampshire Player of the Year 2000 - Congratulations to Will Kendall on winning the Society's award.

The news has been sent to him courtesy of e-mail in Australia. Unfortunately he can't be here this evening as he only arrives back in the UK tomorrow. Arrangements will then be made to present him with his award at a subsequent meeting.

Hampshire Chairmen = A letter has been sent to Brian Ford thanking him for all he has done for the Club and also for the help he has given to the Soceity.

Another letter of welcome has been sent to the new Chairman, Rod Bransgrove.

The Society's Website address - hcs.cricketarchive.com - Get your grandchildren to find it for you!

A Tale of Two Islands - One of our members has moved to the Isle of Wight, thus making the Society's first ever member there. Sadly, Sam Crook (remember the steward usually at the entrance to the bar) has died, soon after his move to the Isle of Arran.

We now have members in Herefordshire, Essex and another in Devon with a total of 459 at the end of last summer.

Twenty-five years ago

In the April Newsletter I recalled the first Committee meeting of our proposed Society when the original nucleus of 5 members met on 27 April 1975. Frank Bailey was elected Chairman, Bill Leadbeater Vice-Chairman, Maurice Smith Treasurer, Phil Bichard Secretary and the late Peter Collop Committee.

The Minute Book shows that the same five met again on 16 October 1975 when the Secretary presented his programme for 1976 :- Desmond Eager to start on 29 January 1976 followed by Richard Gilliat, John Woodcock, Patrick Eager, Tony Pawson, a film evening and Jimmy Gray and finally, Lloyd Budd. A super programme which the two succeeding secretaries have tried to emulate.

Subscription was fixed at £3 - only £6 now!

One further Committee meeting was held on 8 December 1975 before the January launch. By then the Society had joined the Council of Cricket Societies and 42 people had become members.

St. Mary's Church, Southampton

The memorial service for Malcolm Marshall was a poignant occasion and it may be of interest to know that the present building is the sixth on the site. It was rebuilt 1954-56 following severe destruction in 1940. The famous Bing Crosby popular song 'Bells of St. Mary's' immortalises Southampton's mother church.