Jack Fingleton: The man who stood up to Bradman

Greg Growden

May 2014 · Allen & Unwin

About this eBook

Jack Fingleton is one of Australian cricket's most important and intriguing characters. In John Arlott's words: He is himself?and a diverse himself it is.'

Fingleton was an outstanding opening batsman with a reputation for fearlessness against the most hostile and dangerous opening attacks. He faced up to England's feared Bodyline' bowlers, and became the first batsman in history to score four successive Test centuries.

Later he gained a reputation as possibly Australia's greatest cricket writer, with his work syndicated throughout Australia and overseas. He also moved in the corridors of power as a political journalist, and was on intimate terms with several prime ministers. He was the author of a number of authoritative books, including Cricket Crisis and Brightly Fades the Don.

Fingleton led a varied and at times turbulent life. Married to the daughter of noted feminist Jessie Street, over several decades he was involved in an on-again, off-again feud with one-time teammate Sir Donald Bradman. Greg Growden's access to previously unpublished correspondence has helped him shed new light on their relationship, and on the rich life of a witty, evocative, complex and altogether unforgettable Australian.

Ratings and reviews

This is a great read on the stoic Aussie batsman who opened for Australia in the 1930s. It also sheds much light on the complex character of Bradman who dominated the era in which Jack played. It goes beyond most sporting biographies in that it doesn't confine itself to Fingleton's playing life. Instead it goes in full bloom to detail his later glorious career as a sporting journalist and member of the Canberra press gallery, where he was a good friend of Bradman and Chifley. Highly recommended.

About the author

Greg Growden is a senior journalist with the Sydney Morning Herald. He has published a number of books on Rugby Union but his biography of Fleetwood-Smith, The Wayward Genius (ABC Books) is very highly regarded.