Jack Manning

Orthodox slow left-arm bowler Jack Manning, who died in May in Adelaide, came to England in 1954 after three seasons with his native South Australia during which he took 66 wickets (29.95), averaged 21.38 with the bat, and was a member of the Sheffield Shield-winning side of 1952-53. He joined Colne, in the Lancashire League, and after two successful seasons he was signed by Northamptonshire, for whom he played 117 matches between 1954 and 1960, being capped in 1956. He took 428 wickets for the county at only 21.10 apiece, with a best return of 8 for 43 against Gloucestershire at Peterborough in 1959 after a storm had spiced up the pitch. He and Tyson took five wickets each in the second innings, though Northants eventually lost by 50 runs.

Capable of much spin, three times Manning passed 100 wickets, with 116 in 1956 (20.68) the best. Batting usually in the lower middle order, he averaged 14.08 for Northants, but scored one century, 132 against Yorkshire at Harrogate in 1957, when he and fellow Australian George Tribe started a recovery from 105 for 5, continued by Manning and Keith Andrew, who put on 191 for the seventh wicket. Andrew's 76 was also his career-highest.

John Stephen Manning was born in Adelaide on June 11, 1924, and after returning from England he played and coached around Adelaide and became a publican He leaves a widow, four daughters and a son.
Wisden Cricket Monthly