The former England player who has died aged 88 formed a memorable partnership with Basil D’Oliveira when they played together at Worcestershire
Cricket lovers of half a century ago would travel miles to watch Gloucestershire or Worcestershire not in the hope of witnessing a victory for either county but simply to watch Tom Graveney, who died on Tuesday aged 88, bat. There was an easy elegance about his front-foot style that caressed the ball to the boundary. It all seemed so effortless and special. Of course it was not that effortless since Graveney, like many who make the game look so simple, practised assiduously.
On every morning of every county match – and they played a lot more in his day – Graveney would have a net, a decent one where he would bat as earnestly as he did in the middle. Practice made perfect.
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