Name:

Allen, George O B

Nickname:

Gubby

Date of Birth:

31 Jul 1902

Gender:

Men

Place of Birth:

Bellevue Hill, Sydney

Career:

Test: 1930 - 1948
First Class: 1921 - 1953

Teams:

Middlesex (Regional)
England (Country)

1936 1st Test: Gubby Allen leads win over Aussies (Gabba)

Sir Gubby Allen: Forthright, determined character who said no to bodyline

Sir George Oswald Browning "Gubby" Allen, CBE (31 July 1902 – 29 November 1989) played for Middlesex, Cambridge University, MCC and England.

Australian-born, Allen was a fast bowler and hard-hitting lower-order batsman. His batting was bold, correct and courageous. He was an outstanding close in fielder and had a classical side-on action as a medium paceman.

During the famous Bodyline series, Allen strongly disagreed with the controversial tactics of Douglas Jardine, the English captain, and refused to bowl leg theory; he still took 21 wickets in the series.

Allen was appointed as captain for the 1936/37 Ashes tour which they lost 3-2 to Bradman's Australians after winning the opening two Tests. Allen’s England side needing a win in the third Test to reclaim the Ashes. Batting first, the Australians made a respectable 200-9 in bowler- friendly conditions, which looked a good score when England found themselves 76-9 on day two. Gubby declared, believing they could grab some quick wickets in the testing conditions, but to counter this the hosts sent in four (four!) nightwatchmen. A rest day followed and the weather improved, leaving regular openers Jack Fingleton and Don Bradman – batting at numbers six and seven – to smash 136 and 270 respectively as Australia wrapped up a comfortable victory.

He captained England in 11 Tests.

He later became an influential cricket administrator, serving as MCC President in 1963/64 and Treasurer from 1964-76.

Allen was awarded a CBE for his services to the game in 1962 and knighted in 1986.

Source: CricketCrowd Staff Reporter