A profile of Maurice Allom by Dave Liverman

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Player:

MJC Allom

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Maurice Allom made the most spectacular of debuts, when in New Zealand's inaugural Test, he took four wickets in five balls, including the hat-trick. A tall man, he bowled fast, and could move the ball late, and HS Altham described him at his peak as being "perhaps the most dangerous new ball bowler in England". His business commitments, however, severely limited his appearances for both Surrey and England, and his lack of regular cricket left him prone to injury. He also toured South Africa, playing a single Test, but never represented his country at home. He is one of the few players to take more Test wickets than score Test runs - reflecting to some extent his batting ability. He wrote light-hearted descriptions of his two overseas tours with Maurice Turnbull. The book of the two Maurices.

His son also played first-class cricket, and Allom became President of the MCC in 1969-70 (chairing the Cricket Council during the difficult period leading up to the cancellation of the 1970 South African tour), and later Surrey CCC.

(Article: Copyright © 2003 Dave Liverman)