1970, the proposed visit of a South African team to England was subject of widespread public opposition. The MCC was no longer solely responsible for any decisions, being only a part of the Cricket Council, but Allen pressed the government to intervene and decide whether the tour should go ahead. He believed it was a political matter outside the scope of cricket authorities; the government eventually became involved and the tour was cancelled. Final years Allen retired from the Stock Exchange in 1972, resigned as MCC Treasurer in 1976 and left the Cricket Council in 1982. He was appointed a CBE in 1962 and knighted in 1986. In 1968, Allen moved to a flat directly behind the Pavilion at Lord's, where he lived until his death. Following his retirement, he spent much of his time in the MCC Committee room, watching cricket at Lord's. He never married, and died at home on 29 November 1989, suffering from the effects of a stomach operation earlier in the year. He is buried at Brookwood Cemetery in Brookwood, Surrey, England. Notes References Bibliography Military personnel from Sydney English cricketers England Test cricketers England Test cricket captains English cricketers of 1919 to 1945 Middlesex cricketers Cambridge University cricketers Free Foresters cricketers English cricket administrators Presidents of the Marylebone Cricket Club Presidents of Middlesex County Cricket Club People educated at Eton College People educated at Summer Fields School Alumni of Trinity College, Cambridge Cricket players and officials awarded knighthoods Knights Bachelor Commanders of the Order of the British Empire 1902 births 1989 deaths England cricket team selectors Gentlemen cricketers Sportsmen from New South Wales Marylebone Cricket Club cricketers North v South cricketers Cricketers who have taken ten wickets in an innings Cricketers from Sydney City of London Yeomanry (Rough Riders) officers H. D. G. Leveson Gower's XI cricketers Lord Hawke's XI cricketers C. I. Thornton's XI cricketers British Army personnel of World War II Royal Artillery officers Marylebone Cricket Club Australian Touring Team cricketers