W. G. Grace, the Victorian era's most famous cricketer, brought an English team to Australia in 1873–74.
Wills strove to play for Victoria against Grace and rival factions fought over his possible inclusion.
Hammersley, a selector, ensured that he missed out.
Wills went on to tour with, and play against the Englishmen.
Irked by Wills' constant presence, Grace remarked that he seemed to regard himself as a representative of the whole of Australia.
It was assumed that, on his homeward journey, Grace would play a final match in the South Australian capital of Adelaide, but he bypassed the city when Kadina, a remote mining town in the Copper Triangle, offered him more money.
Wills coached Kadina's miners and captained them against Grace's XI.
Played in an open, rock-strewn plain of baked earth, the game was deemed a farce.
Wills made a pair and Grace later wrote of the "old Rugbeian" as a has-been.
Grace neglected to mention that Wills bowled him, ending with 6/28.

In Geelong, Wills was still idolised, though he seemed discontented, seeking any chance to earn money through cricket in the major cities.
He maintained an interest in the development of football, what he called "the king of games".
He continued to suggest rule changes, such as the push in the back rule to curb injuries, and, as captain of Geelong, helped shape the sport's playing style.
Utilising the speed and skill of Geelong's young players, Wills devised an innovative game plan—what he called "scientific football"—based on passing and running into open space.
He pioneered another tactical manoeuvre in Ballarat by ordering his men to flood the backline to prevent the home side from scoring.
Having enraged the crowd, he and his men incited them further by wasting time and deliberately kicking the ball out of bounds.
A few years later, in a rare act of diplomacy, Wills quelled tensions after a rival club used his "unchivalrous tactics" against Geelong.
He played his last football game in 1874.

After Wills' ejection from top-class cricket in 1872, the Victoria XI suffered a streak of losses against New South Wales.
In his 1874–75 Australian Cricketers' Guide, Wills argued that Victoria needed a new captain. "
No one reading his words could mistake its intent—what Victoria needed was Tom Wills", writes de Moore.
For the first time in years, Wills' name appeared on the Victorian selectors' shortlist of players for the next intercolonial against New South Wales.
Noting his faded skills and sullied reputation, the Melbourne press lamented, "There is some sentimental notion afloat that as a captain he is peerless."
Pessimism gave way to hope as Wills promised to restore the colony's glory, and in February 1876 he led the Victoria XI onto the Albert Ground.
Batting last in the order, he went for 0 and 4 and failed to take a wicket despite bowling the most overs of his side.
The media blamed him for Victoria's 195-run loss.
In turn, he blamed his teammates.
W. G. Grace, the Victorian era's most famous cricketer, brought an English team to Australia in 1873–74. Wills strove to play for Victoria against Grace and rival factions fought over his possible inclusion. Hammersley, a selector, ensured that he missed out. Wills went on to tour with, and play against the Englishmen. Irked by Wills' constant presence, Grace remarked that he seemed to regard himself as a representative of the whole of Australia. It was assumed that, on his homeward journey, Grace would play a final match in the South Australian capital of Adelaide, but he bypassed the city when Kadina, a remote mining town in the Copper Triangle, offered him more money. Wills coached Kadina's miners and captained them against Grace's XI. Played in an open, rock-strewn plain of baked earth, the game was deemed a farce. Wills made a pair and Grace later wrote of the "old Rugbeian" as a has-been. Grace neglected to mention that Wills bowled him, ending with 6/28.
In Geelong, Wills was still idolised, though he seemed discontented, seeking any chance to earn money through cricket in the major cities. He maintained an interest in the development of football, what he called "the king of games". He continued to suggest rule changes, such as the push in the back rule to curb injuries, and, as captain of Geelong, helped shape the sport's playing style. Utilising the speed and skill of Geelong's young players, Wills devised an innovative game plan—what he called "scientific football"—based on passing and running into open space. He pioneered another tactical manoeuvre in Ballarat by ordering his men to flood the backline to prevent the home side from scoring. Having enraged the crowd, he and his men incited them further by wasting time and deliberately kicking the ball out of bounds. A few years later, in a rare act of diplomacy, Wills quelled tensions after a rival club used his "unchivalrous tactics" against Geelong. He played his last football game in 1874.
After Wills' ejection from top-class cricket in 1872, the Victoria XI suffered a streak of losses against New South Wales. In his 1874–75 Australian Cricketers' Guide, Wills argued that Victoria needed a new captain. "No one reading his words could mistake its intent—what Victoria needed was Tom Wills", writes de Moore. For the first time in years, Wills' name appeared on the Victorian selectors' shortlist of players for the next intercolonial against New South Wales. Noting his faded skills and sullied reputation, the Melbourne press lamented, "There is some sentimental notion afloat that as a captain he is peerless." Pessimism gave way to hope as Wills promised to restore the colony's glory, and in February 1876 he led the Victoria XI onto the Albert Ground. Batting last in the order, he went for 0 and 4 and failed to take a wicket despite bowling the most overs of his side. The media blamed him for Victoria's 195-run loss. In turn, he blamed his teammates.
Tom Wills