1949

The tour by Australia - and especially their retiring captain Don Bradman - occupied much of the edition with all five Cricketers of the Year coming from the touring party. England were hammered in that series, and also in the one preceding it in the Caribbean, where Gubby Allen's below-strength side went through a tour without a win for the first time. The defeats led to the editor returning to a favourite pre-war topic, that too many tours were leaving players "stale". Walter Robins argued that bowlers should be given more of a chance by an enforced narrowing of the bat. Glamorgan upset the odds to win the County Championship, while another smaller county, Devon, pressed hard for elevation to first-class status. Cyril Washbrook's benefit almost doubled the previous record, raising £14,000. EM Wellings wrote critically of the standard of coaching at public schools, comments that attracted a hostile postbag.
Editor Hubert Preston
Pages 943
Price 9/6 (soft) / 12/- (cloth)

Almanack essays

Notes by the Editor

Many records surpassed, 1949