MCCC HALL OF FAME
Sir George Allen CBE TD (1921-1950)
The most powerful influence on the game of cricket and a major force at Lord's for over 60 years as a high-class all-rounder, captain, selector and administrator, Sir George "Gubby" Allen was born at Bellevue Hill, Sydney in 1902. He represented Middlesex in 146 first-class matches from 1921 to 1950 and Cambridge University in 1922 and 1923. Representing his country in 25 Tests from 1930 to 1947/48, he toured abroad 3 times including the 1932/33 Ashes series when he refused to adopt 'bodyline' tactics. He scored 750 runs with a top score of 122 versus New Zealand at Lord's in 1931 and he took 81 wickets with a best of 7 for 80 versus India at the Oval in 1936. He was the second-oldest Test captain after W.G. Grace at 45 years 254 days when he led the M.C.C. tour to the West Indies in 1947/48. He played 265 first-class matches scoring 9,232 runs and he took 788 wickets. In 1929 at Lord's he achieved 10 for 40 (8 clean bowled) versus Lancashire. President of M.C.C. in 1963-64, the former 'Q' Stand at Lord's was named after him. He was knighted for his services to cricket in 1986 and he died in 1989.
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