Arthur Paish

Born is Gloucester on 5 April 1874, Paish grew up in Cheltenham and by 1893 he was playing cricket and rugby for Cheltenham. In 1895, Paish became a professional cricket player for Monmouth before joining Clifton's club. In 1898, Paish started playing for Gloucestershire Cricket Club, where he became a first-class bowler. At his peak in 1899, he had the best bowling average in first-class cricket at 18.93, beating W. G. Grace into second place. He was chosen to play for England against Australia in 1899, but declined as he had committed to a county match against the Australian side and did not want them to get used to his bowling.[1] Paish played for Gloucestershire for a total of five seasons, between 1898 and 1903.[2]

Paish spent seven years as a sports coach for Downside College, before returning to cricket as the professional player for Gloucester City Cricket Club. At the end of World War I, Paish took a role as groundsman coach for Wagon Works, where he remained until his retirement in April 1948. He was presented with a cheque for £131 (equivalent to £5,068 in 2021) and the Wagon Works held a benefit match in his honour, raising a further £96 (equivalent to £3,714 in 2021). Paish died suddenly at his home on 16 August 1948.[3]