 To be fair, few new names suggested themselves; the 26-year-old Reg Simpson had batted well for the RAF in India, but made only 592 runs (24.66) in 1946, the 23-year-old Trevor Bailey was seen only as a good fielder, making 412 runs (31.69) and taking 37 wickets (24.40), and the 24-year-old Jim Laker only took 8 wickets (21.12).The manager was Major Rupert Howard of Lancashire who had also managed the last tour, Gubby Allen's "Goodwill Tour" of 1936–37.He knew Hammond well and they took to touring the country in a Jaguar lent to them when they arrived in Australia.