Gubby Under Pressure

going. Rain looked so close at hand, that we all thought that we must make them follow on, but the rain clouds seemed to have disappeared and the wicket was lifeless. We would have been in an impregnable position tonight if Robins had caught Don Bradman about 4.50 this afternoon off me for 24 at short leg. It was a “sitter” and I have got a horrible sinking feeling inside me that it may cost us the match. What is even worse is Don was playing terribly badly at the time and he may now play himself into form and worry us for the rest of the series. I make no bones about it I am very apprehensive about it as it may be the turning point of the whole rubber. Anyway let’s hope not.” All Allen’s fears were in vain. Before lunch the next day, Bradman was gone and despite some resistance from Fingleton and McCabe, Australia were unable to avoid an innings defeat. Allen waited until after the Christmas celebrations to write his final thoughts on going 2-0 up in the series and doesn’t miss the opportunity to have another go at Robins for causing him so much anxiety. ‘I think I wrote to you last Sunday when we were in the middle of the Second Test at Sydney and I was rather anxious. The rain came down pretty heavily on Sunday night, but the wicket was never as bad as the Australians thought. I was very nervous about declaring but had no fears of making them follow on though I seem to have been criticised in the English papers for doing so. I knew the wicket would roll out easy the second time, but we had them well and truly depressed and I wanted to keep them like that. If Robbie had caught Bradman off me when he had made 24, as he most certainly ought to have done, the question could never have been raised. My real reason for making them bat again has never been mentioned in any paper as far as I know and is this - we have got on top of O’Reilly for the time being and he knows it and I didn’t want to give him any chance of bowling on a wicket which will help him. He has undoubtedly lost his leg break and will not be dangerous again until he gets it back. It is the case of Peebles all over again. Bradman is still very nervy and never batted well during his 82. I am very sorry for him. I like him enormously and I don’t think he is getting the full support of the Roman Catholic element in the side, namely O’Reilly, McCabe, McCormick, Fingleton and O’Brien.’ After the Second Test the relationship between Allen and Bradman blossomed into a close friendship away from cricket. They played squash and golf together on a number of occasions and Bradman invited him to his home when MCC were in Adelaide. The last remark about lack of support for Bradman within the Australian team, and naming the players involved, suggests that Bradman had discussed the problem with his new friend. At that time rumours were beginning to appear in the press, suggesting that all was not well in the Australian dressing room and the ill-feeling between freemasons and Catholics within Australian cricket clubs, at all levels, was well known. Bradman was a mason and the five players named were all Catholics, but Allen was unlikely to know that unless someone had told him. The problem would come to a head immediately after the Third Test when Bradman, or those working on his behalf, took steps to put the rebels in their place. Looking ahead Allen was now cautiously optimistic. ‘We surely ought now to win the rubber, but I am frightened of our side as there are too many passengers in it and Fleetwood-Smith may easily be awkward under the new lbw rule. When you think of the failures this trip, it is amazing that we are 2-0. Fishlock, The cricket 48