Gubby Under Pressure

unaware. As a potential England captain it would have made sense for Robins to take at least some interest in Allen’s workload. Allen never says that he had actually asked Robins or Wyatt, or anyone else, to help him with his duties. It seems very unlikely that Wyatt, who had first-hand knowledge of the demands that could be made on a touring captain, was not aware of Allen’s difficulties and quite prepared to help out – if he had been asked. In Robins’ case it was quite different: he had never toured before and, apparently was still enjoying his chosen role as the team’s comedian far too much to notice that his captain could have used a helping hand from time to time. Was Allen too proud to ask for help? Did he think that to do so would diminish his authority in the eyes of the rest of the team? On the field he made Herculean efforts to lead by example. Once back in the team’s hotel with play finished for the day, did he feel compelled to continue as the decision-making source of authority in all matters, large and small? He sometimes referred to his love of the whole touring group like some parental figure in a ‘father knows best’ sort of way: ‘I love the job because I am so fond of them all’, and ‘I am Managing the show 27 Suits you, sir. MCC, with the Australian Prime Minister Joseph Lyons, in front of Ushers Hotel, Sydney at Christmas, 1936. Back row (l to r): W.Voce, A.E.Fagg, K.Farnes, W.H.Copson. Middle row: C.J.Barnett, J.M.Sims, T.S.Worthington, J.Hardstaff, G.Duckworth, L.E.G.Ames. Front row: M.Leyland, G.O.B.Allen, Joseph Lyons (Australian Prime Minister), R.E.S.Wyatt, R.Howard (manager). R.W.V.Robins, W.R.Hammond and L.B.Fishlock are missing.