1948 tour Keith Johnson (cricket administrator)

johnson late appointment manager 1948 tour of england, taking on new south wales colleague bill jeanes, secretary of australian board of control , had managed previous australian tour of england in 1938. jeanes had become increasingly unpopular among players because of approach haigh called increasingly officious , liverish .

led bradman—widely regarded greatest batsman in history—the australians went through 34 matches without defeat, earning sobriquet invincibles. won 25 of matches, 17 of these innings, , crushed england 4–0 in 5 tests, winning games heavily.

despite australians domination of local teams, english public showed unprecedented levels of interest in cricket. record gate takings registered @ venues, when rain affected matches, , record attendance test match in england broken twice, in second test @ lord s , fourth test @ headingley. 158,000 spectators watched proceedings @ headingley remain record test on english soil. result, australia made £82,671 tour, resulting in profit of £54,172. popularity of team meant inundated invitations social appointments government officials , members of royal family, , had juggle plethora of off-field engagements, 103 days of scheduled cricket in space of 144 days. result, johnson flooded phone calls , letters, had attend himself, administrator among touring party. bradman later said worried johnson s tireless work cause health problems because worked slave day , night , tribute bulldog determination see job through . journalist andy flanagan said johnson on ball every minute of waking day, , safe half night too.

johnson again praised wisden in report on 1948 tour. indebtedness smooth running of tour , general harmony of team due largely manager, mr keith johnson, hard-working , genial, said. paying tribute loyalty of players, mr johnson said there had not been discordant note in party throughout tour. flanagan labelled johnson conscientious, reserved, dignified, extraordinarily industrious , scrupulously trustworthy . went on no organization, no body corporate, no individual ever hope have more loyal, more devoted, or more conscientious officer...although world in general praise , glory unequalled triumph tour proved goes sir donald bradman, travelled team ever have proper conception of part played in triumph keith johnson. bradman said johnson created friends , goodwill everywhere both himself , team, , no side have wished better manager . on journey australia, players presented johnson silver georgian salver, signatures engraved on memento.

in farewell message england quoted in wisden, johnson said lasting memory team s visit balmoral castle. johnson said felt going englishman s home , family heart . difficult believe being entertained royalty. personal wish in empire spend hour or king , queen. them tremendous amount of good.