Marston's teams up with WG Grace

Marston's Brewing Company has secured the services of an English cricket great to help promote Marston's Smooth.

WG Grace, considered the best player in the world in the late 19th century, is the subject of an advertising campaign to promote the brand, the official beer of the Twenty20 Cup.

Marston's quirky advertising campaign is supported by a viral ad, which can be seen on the Marston's Cricket Club website :www.marstonscricketclub.co.uk and on YouTube (go to www.youtube.com and search for 'WG Grace Marston's').

It shows Grace taking off his trademark England cap to reveal an anarchic mohican quiff to promote Marston's Smooth as the official beer of the spirited new breed of Twenty20 cricket.

Marston's Beer Company marketing director Peter Jackson said: "WG Grace is still to this day revered for being one of the finest players that England produced, as well as being behind the development of modern batting.

"His unique passion and earnest commitment to the sport meant his performances commanded a big audience - and he single-handedly transformed the game into a national institution.

"That's why we felt WG's unrivalled reputation as the uncompromising father of modern cricket lent itself perfectly to the dynamic new breed of 20-over cricket that's getting pundits' hearts racing."

Grace's cricketing career saw him play for England, Gloucestershire and London County.

The campaign forms part of Marston's wide-ranging cricket sponsorships, the centrepiece of which is Marston's Pedigree's status as the official beer of England's Test team.

Print out a picture of this cricketing hero on the right - either as a pdf or a jpeg - whatever your preference!