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George Mann (cricketer)
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. 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.[3] Early life and educationMann was born on 6 September 1917 in Byfleet, Surrey, England.[4][5] 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.[6] He was also a member of the Eton College Contingent of the Officer Training Corps, and reached the rank of cadet under-officer.[7] He studied at Pembroke College, Cambridge, graduating with a Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree.[4] While at Cambridge, he earned two cricketing blues, having represented the university in 1938 and 1939.[6] Military serviceMann served in the British Army during the Second World War, having joined up before the outbreak of war.[6] On 8 July 1939, he was commissioned in the Royal Welch Fusiliers as a second lieutenant.[7] He transferred to the Scots Guards on 13 March 1940.[8] He was awarded the Military Cross (MC) in 1942.[5] 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".[9] 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.[10] Having reached the age limit, he resigned his commission on 6 September 1967 and was permitted to retain his honorary rank.[11] Cricketing careerMann 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".[12] 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).[13] Mann was chairman of the Test and County Cricket Board (TCCB) from 1978 to 1983.[5] He was therefore chairman during the controversy over the rebel tour which Geoff Boycott and Graham Gooch led to South Africa in 1982. Later lifeMann 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.[13] He was also a non-executive Deputy Chairman of the Extel Group from 1980 to 1986. Mann died on 8 August 2001 in Stockcross, Berkshire, England.[5] Personal lifeIn 1949, Mann married Margaret Hildegarde Marshall Clark. Together they had four children: three sons and one daughter. His wife predeceased him, dying in 1995.[4] 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
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