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Francis George Mann, CBE, DSO, MC (6 September 1917 – 8 August 2001) was an English cricketer, who played for Cambridge University, Middlesex and England.[1] He was born at Byfleet, Surrey and died at Stockcross, Berkshire.

George Mann

CBE DSO MC

Mann in 1947
Personal information
Full name	Francis George Mann
Born	(1917-09-06)6 September 1917 Byfleet, Surrey, England
Died	8 August 2001(2001-08-08) (aged 83) Stockcross, Berkshire, England
Batting	Right-handed
Relations	Frank Mann (father) John Pelham Mann (brother) Simon Mann (son)
International information
National side	England
Test debut	16 December 1948 v South Africa
Last Test	28 June 1949 v New Zealand
Career statistics
Competition Test First-class Matches 7 166 Runs scored 376 6,350 Batting average 37.60 25.91 100s/50s 1/0 7/32 Top score 136* 136* Balls bowled – 414 Wickets – 3 Bowling average – 129.66 5 wickets in innings – 0 10 wickets in match – 0 Best bowling – 2/16 Catches/stumpings 3/– 72/–
Source: CricInfo, 29 July 2020

As a cricketer, George Mann was a right-handed middle-order batsman. His father, Frank Mann, also captained England, making them the first father and son to both captain England.[2] Colin and Chris Cowdrey are the only other father and son to have done this for England.^{[citation needed]}

Early life and education

Mann was born on 6 September 1917 in Byfleet, Surrey, England.[3][4] The son of Frank Mann, he was the brother of John Pelham Mann. He was educated at Eton College, an all-boys public school, and captained the school's cricket XI in 1936.[5] He was also a member of the Eton College Contingent of the Officer Training Corps, and reached the rank of cadet under-officer.[6] He studied at Pembroke College, Cambridge, graduating with a Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree.[3] While at Cambridge, he earned two cricketing blues, having represented the university in 1938 and 1939.[5]

Military service

Mann served in the British Army during the Second World War, having joined up before the outbreak of war.[5] On 8 July 1939, he was commissioned in the Royal Welch Fusiliers as a second lieutenant.[6] He transferred to the Scots Guards on 13 March 1940.[7] He was awarded the Military Cross (MC) in 1942.[4] On 28 June 1945, the then temporary major Mann was awarded the Distinguished Service Order (DSO) "in recognition of gallant and distinguished services in Italy".[8]

Mann maintained his links with the army after the war. On 8 July 1949, he was moved from the Supplementary Reserve of Officers to the Regular Army Reserve of Officers, and was granted the honorary rank of major.[9] Having reached the age limit, he resigned his commission on 6 September 1967 and was permitted to retain his honorary rank.[10]

Cricketing career

Mann captained England in each of his seven Test matches, winning two, and drawing the other five; his father had also been captain in every Test he played in. Wisden said of Mann: "as a captain he was ideal, zealous to a degree, and considerate in all things at all times".^{[citation needed]} After leading England in South Africa in 1948/49, Mann led his side for two Tests in the following summer, before he stood down, citing inability to participate regularly due to his family's brewing business commitments (Mann, Crossman & Paulin).[11]

Mann was chairman of the Test and County Cricket Board (TCCB) from 1978 to 1983.[4] He was therefore chairman during the controversy over the rebel tour which Geoff Boycott and Graham Gooch led to South Africa in 1982.

Later life

Mann was a main board director and retained his position on the new company board when his family brewery merged with Watney Combe & Reid in 1958.[11] He was non-executive Deputy Chairman of the Extel Group from 1980 to 1986.

Mann died on 8 August 2001 in Stockcross, Berkshire, England.[4]

Personal life

In 1949, Mann married Margaret Hildegarde Marshall Clark. Together they had four children: three sons and one daughter. His wife predeceased him, dying in 1995.[3]

Mann's son, Simon, was sentenced for thirty-four years in Equatorial Guinea in 2008, on charges related to an attempted coup in 2004, but was pardoned on 2 November 2009.

References

External links

• George Mann at ESPNcricinfo

Sporting positions
Preceded by Norman Yardley	English national cricket Captain 1948/9–1949	Succeeded by Freddie Brown
Preceded by Walter Robins	Middlesex County Cricket Captain 1948–1949	Succeeded by Walter Robins

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