Gubby Under Pressure

McCabe and Grimmett from the eastern states. The batting of MCC continued to be impressive, the bowling less so. Allen brought in Voce and Copson to open the attack, holding himself back as relief when needed. Verity provided most of the spin. The day before leaving Perth, Allen reviewed the first two games: ‘We did not make a very impressive start on the cricket field. Our batting was good in places, though I am still anxious about our opening pair. Wyatt made 100 but it was a terrible innings. Fagg’s only innings was nothing to write home about and he got a nasty blow on the fingers, and Barnett seems too wild at present. Though I say so myself, I played a very good innings of 65 and I really believe I have discovered the way to deal with Grimmett. He doesn’t seem able to bowl you if you don’t let him throw the ball up in the air. Every time he bowled his slow one I came out after him and he had to bowl quick at me, and then he can’t turn the ball an inch either way. Fishlock played him splendidly and looks like making a lot of runs if he uses his head and curbs his impetuosity. Our ground fielding was fairly good but our catching was lamentable and it was that that got us into trouble. Badcock was dropped two sitters and was plumb lbw before he made 25. He is going to be a good player but I don’t fear him at present, especially if there is a leg-spinner about. Don’t be alarmed if I don’t get many wickets for the first four or five weeks as I am not going to bowl flat out as I shall have to play in every match until Robbie is fit again, and don’t want to be dead by the time the First Test starts.’ 4 At Clare [South Australia]: 28 October, 1936. Not first-class. Clare Country XI 62-4d: MCC 141-6. Match drawn. Rain curtailed play. En route to Adelaide, MCC broke their three-day rail journey with a diversion to Clare to play a one day game celebrating the town’s centenary. The festival spirit of the occasion was spoiled somewhat for Allen by the injury to Wyatt, who joined Robins on the long-term sick list. 5 At Adelaide: 30 and 31 October, 2 and 3 November, 1936. ¹ MCC 233 [W.R.Hammond 104, F.A.Ward 5-79] and 236 [W.R.Hammond 136, H.N.J.Cotton 4-38, F.A.Ward 5-98]: South Australia 162 [G.O.B.Allen 6-53] and 202 [V.Y.Richardson 55, H.Verity 4-35]. MCC won by 105 runs. Hammond’s 136 was his fourth consecutive first-class century. Allen’s decision to take things gently was forgotten against South Australia in Adelaide, where he bowled 27 overs in the match, taking nine wickets for 85 runs. With Voce only contributing 19 overs for one solitary wicket, Allen had little alternative to spearheading the attack and bowling the side to victory. His efforts were admired by Farnes, who although sidelined for two consecutive matches and probably impatient that he wasn’t out there himself bowling with his skipper, wrote: ‘Allen’s bowling was undoubtedly the match-winning factor, and he bowled with sustained accuracy and venom.’ Allen certainly agreed with his young fast bowler’s assessment: ‘We beat South Australia by lunchtime today but not without causing me a little anxiety. Our batting, except for Hammond and possibly Worthington, was deplorable and our bowling except for myself not very convincing. Sims bowled too quick and has no flight and Verity doesn’t look as if he will get a wicket on the whole tour unless the The cricket 36