Lives in Cricket No 42 - Frank and George Mann

101 Captaincy Decisions by 19 companies. The difficulty of obtaining licences for the use of building materials (because of shortages) severely restricted the rebuilding or restoration of public houses and other premises. New plant and transport could only be delivered on a strict priority basis. The new president of Middlesex, Dick Twining, asked George to link up with Gerry Crutchley and Gubby Allen to investigate the future availability of amateurs to see who else could be asked to lead the side. The issue was not resolved before George sailed off to South Africa in November and it was decided to delay an appointment until George returned. His marriage to Margaret Clark was celebrated in Johannesburg on 1 December. Lord Inchcape, a close friend from his Eton and Cambridge days, was his best man. 54 On his return to England in January 1950 George agreed reluctantly to continue as captain, but a month later he had to acknowledge that, as head of the personnel department with the need to engage new staff and relocate existing staff after the Putney Brewery had ceased to be used for brewing purposes and was being converted into a bottling depot and store, the demands on his time had become so great that he would definitely not be able to lead Middlesex in 1950. Walter Robins stepped up yet again and offered to take over, but as the season progressed, responsibilities at his own business took him away from playing cricket when he wished and he could only captain Middlesex in fewer than half of their matches. George was able get away from the demands of work to play in his first match for the Free Foresters at the start of the season, followed by four Championship matches in June, two under Robins and twice as captain when Robins was away. 54 Their daughter Sarah still displays at her home the silver plate presented to her father, bearing the engraving: ‘From the President and members of the South Africa Cricket Association on the occasion of his marriage 1/12/49.’ The Middlesex side which shared the Championship title in 1949. Standing (l to r): J.A.Young, S.M.Brown, L.H.Gray, J.J.Warr, L.H.Compton (wk), H.P.H.Sharp, D.Richards (masseur). Seated: J.D.B.Robertson, J.M.Sims, R.W.V.Robins, F.G.Mann (capt), W.J.Edrich, D.C.S.Compton. On the ground: A.W.Thompson, J.G.Dewes.