Australian cricket team in England in 1948

The Australian cricket team in England in 1948 was captained by Don Bradman, who was making his fourth and final tour of England. The team is famous for being the first Test match side to play an entire tour without losing a match. This feat earned them the nickname of The Invincibles. [Cite web
url = http://www.cultureandrecreation.gov.au/articles/sportinggreats/
title = Sporting greats - Australia reveres and treasures its sporting heroes.
accessdate = 2007-12-18
publisher = Australian Government - Culture and Recreation Portal
quote = The 1948 Australian cricket team captained by Don Bradman, for example, became known as 'The Invincibles' for their unbeaten eight-month tour of England. This team is one of Australia's most cherished sporting legends.]

Including five Test matches, Australia played a total of 31 first-class fixtures, plus three other games. Their record in the first-class games was 23 won and 8 drawn; in all matches, they won 25 and drew 9. They won the Test series 4-0 with one match drawn.

ignificance

The 1948 Australian tour has a great significance in cricket history. It was the first side to tour England unbeaten. The tour was Donald Bradman's last Test series, and the side is generally regarded as the greatest that Bradman appeared in. It is often cited as the best team of all time, although comparisons across eras are notoriously difficult.

Touring party

* Keith Johnson (manager)
* Don Bradman (captain)
* Lindsay Hassett (vice-captain)
* Ray Lindwall
* Keith Miller
* Sam Loxton
* Neil Harvey
* Bill Brown
* Arthur Morris
* Don Tallon (wicket-keeper)
* Sid Barnes
* Ian Johnson
* Bill Johnston
* Ernie Toshack
* Doug Ring
* Ron Hamence
* Colin McCool
* Ron Saggers (wicket-keeper)

Preparations

The selection committee was Don Bradman, Jack Ryder and "Chappie" Dwyer. They held their final meeting on Wednesday 11 February and announced the team that day. Bill Jeanes was offered the job of tour manager but turned it down. He was replaced by Keith Johnson, the New South Wales Board delegate to the Australian Board of Control. Johnson had previously managed the Australian Services team (which had included Keith Miller and Lindsay Hassett) in England in 1945 [Chris Harte: A History of Australian Cricket] .

The team was chosen with a dual emphasis on strong batting and fast bowling [Chris Harte: A History of Australian Cricket] .

Before they left Australia, the team played three warm-up matches. Two of these were two-day games against Tasmania in Hobart and Launceston; the third was a three-day match versus Western Australia in Perth. These games showed serious intent on the part of the tourists [Chris Harte: A History of Australian Cricket] .

In Hobart, although the match was drawn, they scored 538-5 declared with centuries by Barnes, Hassett and Harvey. Using a mixture of pace and spin, they reduced Tasmania to 122 and 186-7. In Launceston, Australia won by an innings and 49 runs. Toshack, bowling left arm seam, took 5-24 as Tasmania fell for 123. Australia then scored 288 before five bowlers shared the wickets as Tasmania were out again for just 116.

Four days later, on Saturday 13 March, the Australian XI was at the WACA Ground in Perth where they found Western Australia a tougher nut to crack. Western Australia scored 348 with Wally Langdon making 112. Australia replied with 442-7 declared, including 115 apiece by Morris and Bradman. Western Australia had time only to reach 62-3 and the game was drawn. This match attracted total crowds of 30,500 over the three days. [cite web|url=http://www.cricketarchive.com/Archive/Scorecards/18/18393.html|work=CricketArchive|title=Western Australia v Australian XI|accessdate=2007-12-30]

Pre-tour visit to Ceylon

The team set sail on board "SS Strathaird" from Fremantle on Friday 19 March [Chris Harte: A History of Australian Cricket] .

On their voyage to England, the Australian party berthed in Colombo where they played a [http://www.cricketarchive.co.uk/Archive/Scorecards/18/18400.html one-day single-innings match] (not limited overs) versus the Ceylon national team at the Colombo Cricket Club Ground. Colombo newspaper "The Islander" had a headline of "Bradman Will Definitely Play" and this guaranteed a crowd of more than 20,000.

The Australian team was Bradman (captain), Barnes, Brown, Harvey, Miller, Hamence, Loxton, Saggers, Johnson, Ring, Toshack. Australia batted first and became suspicious about the pitch as the morning went on. At lunch, Ian Johnson demanded that the pitch be measured and it was found to be only convert|20|yd long. After that, the bowlers delivered from two yards behind the crease. Australia made 184-8 declared (Barnes 49, Miller 46) but, when Ceylon had reached 46-2 in reply, heavy rain ended the game [Chris Harte: A History of Australian Cricket] .

Arrival in England

The party docked at Tilbury on Friday 16 April to a resounding welcome. Bradman announced the delivery of 17,000 food parcels as a gift to the British people from the State of Victoria. Great Britain was still in the throes of rationing and post-war austerity [Chris Harte: A History of Australian Cricket] .

The tour opened officially at New Road, Worcester on Wednesday, 28 April with the Australians playing Worcestershire in a three-day match which they won by an innings and 17 runs, Bradman making his expected opening match century (107) while Morris scored 138 and the bowlers shared the spoils.

Ashes Test matches

It has been claimed that English teams were more weakened by the effects of the Second World War than the Australians were. [Barker, Ralph & Rosenwater, Irving, "England v Australia: A compendium of Test cricket between the countries 1877-1968", B.T. Batsford, 1969, ISBN 0-7134-0317-9, p196.] ["M.C.C. team in Australia and New Zealand, 1946–47", "Wisden Cricketers' Almanack", 1948, Wisden.] Even so, various commentators have rated the 1948 Australian team as one of the best cricket teams ever, and it is often compared to other great sides such as the 1902 Australian touring team, the Australian side of just after World War I, the West Indies team of the 1980s and the Australian team of the 1990s and 2000s. ["Notes by the Editor", "Wisden Cricketers' Almanack", 1985, Wisden, p48.] ["The Australians in England, 2001" by David Frith, "Wisden Cricketers' Almanack", 2002, Wisden, p416.]

The five Test Ashes series was won convincingly by Australia. England was captained by Norman Yardley and its batting was strong on paper, the first four in the order generally being Len Hutton, Cyril Washbrook, Bill Edrich and Denis Compton. They were supported by the likes of Joe Hardstaff junior, Tom Dollery, Charlie Barnett, Jack Crapp, John Dewes, Allan Watkins, Yardley and wicket-keeper Godfrey Evans. But they found the fast bowling trio of Lindwall, Miller and Johnston a real handful, especially since the playing conditions that summer allowed a new ball to be taken after only 55 overs. ["Barclay's World of Cricket - 2nd Edition", 1980, Collins Publishers, ISBN 0-00-216349-7, p641.]

England's bowling was largely reliant on Alec Bedser and against such a strong Australian batting line-up even his average was unimpressive. Alec Coxon, Dick Pollard, Edrich, Barnett and Yardley provided his seam support. Jim Laker, Jack Young, Eric Hollies and Doug Wright were the spinners in action.

The large number of English names indicates how often the home selectors "chopped and changed" in a vain effort to find a combination that might test Australian superiority.

Morris finished the series with 696 runs at 87.00, and Lindwall and Johnston each took 27 wickets. For England, the player emerging with most credit was Compton, with 562 runs at 62.44.

1st Test

The Third Test was drawn, though England might have won had not the Manchester weather caused much time to be lost. In England's first innings Compton had to retire hurt early on after being hit on the head by Lindwall, and needed two stitches, but he returned to the crease at 119 for 5 and finished with 145 not out out of 363. England had controversially dropped Len Hutton for this Test, but he was recalled for the next. ["Wisden Cricketers' Almanack, 1991 edition", obituary of Hutton.]

4th Test

At Headingley, one of the most famous of all Tests was played. It was a high-scoring affair, with Washbrook and Edrich making hundreds in England's first innings, and Harvey - on his debut in Anglo-Australian Tests - making one for Australia. Early on the final day, with the pitch by now helping spin, England declared their second innings, setting Australia to make 404 in 344 minutes. Laker, not yet the force that he would be a few years later, bowled poorly, and there were many fielding lapses. Thus, against all expectation, Australia got the runs with 12 minutes and 7 wickets to spare, with Morris making 182 and Bradman 173 not out. The attendance at this match, of over 158,000, remains a record for a Test in England. ["Wisden Cricketers' Almanack, 2007", p505.]

5th Test

The final Test of the series was the biggest disaster of all for England. They lost by an innings and 149 runs. Batting first, England were shot out for 52, of which Hutton made 30. Lindwall took 6/20. The Australian openers put on 117, and the total eventually reached 389 (Morris 196). In their second effort England managed only 188. (Johnston 4/40).

It was known that this would be Bradman's final Test, and the crowd gave him an ovation when he walked out to bat. He only needed four runs to average 100 in Test cricket, but Eric Hollies bowled him second ball for a duck.

Other matches in Great Britain

=v Worcestershire=

:;At Worcester, April 28, 29, 30. Worcestershire (233 and 212) lost to the Australians (462 for eight declared) by an innings and 17 runs. [cite web
url = http://www.cricketarchive.com/Archive/Scorecards/18/18403.html
title = Worcestershire v Australians
date = 1948-04-28
publisher = CricketArchive
accessdate = 2007-12-26]

The pitch was slow, the weather was cold and showery. Worcester attracted a record attendance of 32,000 with takings of more than ₤4000. Worcestershire batted first, scoring 233 runs in their first innings with Charles Palmer top scoring with 85 runs. Five Australian bowlers shared the wickets, with Johnson taking three for 52. In their sole innings Australia declared at 462 for eight, with Morris scoring 138 and Bradman 107. Offspin bowler Peter Jackson took six for 135. In their second innings Worcestershire were bowled out by Australia for 212 runs, with 70 minutes to spare. McCool took four for 29. [Cite book
title = Wisden Cricketers' Almanack
edition = 1949
publisher = Wisden
chapter = Australians in England, 1948
pages = p. 216]

=v Leicestershire=

:;At Leicester, May 1, 3, 4. The Australians (448) beat Leicestershire (130 and 147) by an innings and 171 runs. [cite web
url = http://www.cricketarchive.com/Archive/Scorecards/18/18406.html
title = Leicestershire v Australians
date = 1948-05-01
publisher = CricketArchive
accessdate = 2007-12-26]

Australia batted first, Miller scoring 202 not out with his team making 448 runs. The Australian-born slow bowler Vic Jackson was the best Leicestershire bowler, taking five for 91. Leicestershire scored only 130 in their first innings, with another Australian ex-pat, Jack Walsh, top-scoring with 33. In the follow-on, after a rain delay Australia took the final five wickets in an hour for 34 to secure victory – leaving Leicestershire all out for 147. Ring took five for 45 in the first innings, Johnson seven for 42 in the second [Cite book
title = Wisden Cricketers' Almanack
edition = 1949
publisher = Wisden
chapter = Australians in England, 1948
pages = pp. 217–218]

=v Yorkshire=

:;At Bradford, May 5, 6. Yorkshire (71 and 89) lost to the Australians (101 and 63 for six) by four wickets. [cite web
url = http://www.cricketarchive.com/Archive/Scorecards/18/18412.html
title = Yorkshire v Australians
date = 1948-05-05
publisher = CricketArchive
accessdate = 2007-12-26] This low-scoring game was the closest that Australia came to defeat on the tour. The game was played in wet conditions that suited spin bowlers. Yorkshire made only 71 in their first innings. Miller mixed medium-paced off-breaks with his fast bowling and this combination returned him six for 42. Australia's first innings yielded 101 runs, with Loxton not batting due to injury. Frank Smailes had the best bowling figures for Yorkshire: six for 51. Yorkshire scored 89 in their second innings, with Johnston, also varying in styles between left-arm medium pace and slows, taking six for 18 in 15.2 overs. The Australians, needing just 60 to win, fell to 31 for six, but Harvey and Tallon knocked off the runs and Harvey won the game with a straight drive over the fence. [Cite book
title = Wisden Cricketers' Almanack
edition = 1949
publisher = Wisden
chapter = Australians in England, 1948
pages = pp. 218–219]

=v Surrey=

:;At The Oval, May 8, 10, 11. The Australians (632) beat Surrey (141 and 195) by an innings and 296 runs. [cite web
url = http://www.cricketarchive.com/Archive/Scorecards/18/18422.html
title = Surrey v Australians
date = 1948-05-08
publisher = CricketArchive
accessdate = 2007-12-26] Australia won the toss and amassed 632 runs. Barnes, Bradman and Hassett all scored centuries. Barnes' 176 came in 255 minutes and Bradman made 146 in 165 minutes, and together they put on 207 for the second wicket. Surrey scored 141 runs in three hours in their first innings, with Johnson taking five for 53 and Laurie Fishlock carrying his bat for 81. Australia enforced the follow-on and Surrey scored 195 in their second innings. [Cite book
title = Wisden Cricketers' Almanack
edition = 1949
publisher = Wisden
chapter = Australians in England, 1948
pages = pp. 219–220]

=v Cambridge University=

:;At Fenner's, Cambridge, May 12, 13, 14. Cambridge University (167 and 196) lost to the Australians (414 for four declared) by an innings and 51 runs. [cite web
url = http://www.cricketarchive.com/Archive/Scorecards/18/18423.html
title = Cambridge University v Australians
date = 1948-05-12
publisher = CricketArchive
accessdate = 2007-12-26] Cambridge batted first and made 167, wikth Miller taking five for 46. In reply, Brown scored 200 and Hamence 92. In their second innings Cambridge failed to cope with the leg-spin of McCool, who took seven for 78. Attendance over the three days was nearly 25,000. [Cite book
title = Wisden Cricketers' Almanack
edition = 1949
publisher = Wisden
chapter = Australians in England, 1948
pages = pp. 220–221]

=v Essex=

:;At Southend, May 15, 17. The Australians (721) beat Essex (83 and 187) by an innings and 451 runs. [cite web
url = http://www.cricketarchive.com/Archive/Scorecards/18/18429.html
title = Essex v Australians
date = 1948-05-15
publisher = CricketArchive
accessdate = 2007-12-26] Australia made history on the first day by breaking the record for the most runs scored in a first-class match in a day. With centuries from Brown, Bradman, Loxton and Saggers, Australia's first innings totalled 721. Bradman's 187 came in 155 minutes and Brown's 153 lasted three hours; Bradman and Brown put on 219 in 90 minutes and Loxton Saggers made 166 in 65 minutes. Essex made only 83 in their first innings, Toshack taking five for 31 and Australia enforced the follow-on. Essex's second innings of 187 relied almost entirely on a late partnership of 133 between Tom Pearce and Peter Smith. The ground attendance of 32,000 was a record. [Cite book
title = Wisden Cricketers' Almanack
edition = 1949
publisher = Wisden
chapter = Australians in England, 1948
pages = pp. 221–222]

=v Oxford University=

:;At Oxford, May 19, 20, 21. The Australians (431) beat Oxford University (185 and 156) by an innings and 90 runs. [cite web
url = http://www.cricketarchive.com/Archive/Scorecards/18/18444.html
title = Oxford University v Australians
date = 1948-05-19
publisher = CricketArchive
accessdate = 2007-12-26] Australia batted first, and the opening pair of Bill Brown and Arthur Morris put on 139. Brown scored his third century in succession on the tour, before being out lbw to Abdul Hafeez Kardar for 108. Oxford's best batting performance came in the form of a 75 run partnership between Geoffrey Keighley and Kardar in their first innings, resisting the spin bowlers on the dry wicket. Despite Kardar's innings of 54 and 29, Australia won by an innings and 90 runs. [Cite book
title = Wisden Cricketers' Almanack
edition = 1949
publisher = Wisden
chapter = Australians in England, 1948
pages = pp. 222–223]

=v MCC=

:;At Lord's, May 22, 24, 25. The Australians (552) beat MCC (189 and 205) by an innings and 158 runs. [cite web
url = http://www.cricketarchive.com/Archive/Scorecards/18/18451.html
title = MCC v Australians
date = 1948-05-22
publisher = CricketArchive
accessdate = 2007-12-26] Australia batted first. Bradman scored eleven fours in his 98, which took two hours. Miller was Australia's highest scorer with 163, and there were runs too for Barnes and Johnson. The MCC side, composed almost entirely of Test players, managed only 189 in the first innings and 205 in the second after being forced to follow on. Toshack took six wickets for 51 in the first innings and McCool had the best figures in the second innings, with four for 35. Only Len Hutton passed 50, scoring 52 and 64. The total attendance was 60,000. [Cite book
title = Wisden Cricketers' Almanack
edition = 1949
publisher = Wisden
chapter = Australians in England, 1948
pages = pp. 223–224]

=v Lancashire=

:;At Manchester, May 26, 27, 28. The Australians (204 and 259 for four) drew with Lancashire (182). [cite web
url = http://www.cricketarchive.com/Archive/Scorecards/18/18458.html
title = Lancashire v Australians
date = 1948-05-26
publisher = CricketArchive
accessdate = 2007-12-26] The first day was abandoned due to rain. Australia lost the toss and were sent in to bat on a drying pitch. The 19-year-old Lancashire spin bowler Malcolm Hilton took Bradman's wicket twice in the match. Johnston's left-arm slow-medium deliveries helped him take five of the last seven wickets for 28 runs in Lancashire's only innings. Harvey and Hamence shared an unbeaten fifth-wicket partnership of 122 after Loxton made 52 in the Australians' second innings. [Cite book
title = Wisden Cricketers' Almanack
edition = 1949
publisher = Wisden
chapter = Australians in England, 1948
pages = pp. 224–225]

=v Nottinghamshire=

:;At Nottingham, May 29, 31, June 1. Nottinghamshire (179 and 299 for eight) drew with the Australians (400). [cite web
url = http://www.cricketarchive.com/Archive/Scorecards/18/18467.html
title = Nottinghamshire v Australians
date = 1948-05-29
publisher = CricketArchive
accessdate = 2007-12-26] In Nottinghamshire's first innings, Ray Lindwall took 6 for 14 from 15.1 overs, with only 10 scoring strokes being made off him. Reg Simpson made 74 and Joe Hardstaff junior 48, but only one other batsman reached double figures. Australia only batted once, Brown top scoring with 122 in 3 hours 45 minutes. In the county's second innings, Keeton was hit in the chest by one of Lindwall's deliveries and took no further part in the match. On the final day, Hardstaff hit the first century against the Australians on the tour, 107, and Simpson again batted well, making 70. [Cite book
title = Wisden Cricketers' Almanack
edition = 1949
publisher = Wisden
chapter = Australians in England, 1948
pages = pp. 225–226]

=v Hampshire=

:;At Southampton, June 2, 3, 4. Hampshire (195 and 103) lost to the Australians (117 and 182 for two) by eight wickets. [cite web
url = http://www.cricketarchive.com/Archive/Scorecards/18/18473.html
title = Hampshire v Australians
date = 1948-06-02
publisher = CricketArchive
accessdate = 2007-12-26] The Australians were behind on the first innings for the first time on the tour and the game remained in the balance until the third afternoon. Hampshire were put in to bat on a drying pitch and scored 195, with Johnston taking six for 74. In reply Australia lost their last 8 wickets for 63 and made only 103. Charles Knott's off-spin proved a challenge for the Australians, but Miller scored three successive sixes from him. In their second innings both Miller and Johnston took five Hampshire wickets. Australia needed 182 runs in 175 minutes to win. Barnes went for a duck but Johnson, sent in five minutes before lunch, hit 74 out of 105, including three 6s and seven 4s. Brown, with 81 not out, and Hassett saw the Australians through to victory. [Cite book
title = Wisden Cricketers' Almanack
edition = 1949
publisher = Wisden
chapter = Australians in England, 1948
pages = pp. 226–227]

=v Sussex=

:;At Hove, June 5, 7. Sussex (86 and 138) lost to the Australians (549 for five declared) by an innings and 325 runs. [cite web
url = http://www.cricketarchive.com/Archive/Scorecards/18/18489.html
title = Sussex v Australians
date = 1948-06-05
publisher = CricketArchive
accessdate = 2007-12-26] Australia's Ray Lindwall won the match with his bowling, taking eleven for 59. The Sussex batsmen struggled with his length and variation of pace, and he hit the off-stump five times in the first innings alone. Loxton also bowled well in the first innings, taking three for 13. Australia replied to Sussex's 86 with 549, led by Arthur Morris's 184 and with centuries too for Bradman and Harvey. In Sussex's second innings Lindwall took two wickets in the first over before a run had been scored. Harry Parks made 61, but Sussex were all out for 138. [Cite book
title = Wisden Cricketers' Almanack
edition = 1949
publisher = Wisden
chapter = Australians in England, 1948
pages = p. 228]

=v Northamptonshire=

:;At Northampton, June 16, 17, 18. Northamptonshire (119 and 169) lost to the Australians (352 for eight declared) by an innings and 64 runs. [cite web
url = http://www.cricketarchive.com/Archive/Scorecards/18/18514.html
title = Northamptonshire v Australians
date = 1948-06-16
publisher = CricketArchive
accessdate = 2007-12-26] The match was interrupted by rain. Northamptonshire batted first, making 119, with Johnston and Johnson taking three wickets each. The Australians' innings was built around Hassett's 127, which included 17 fours. Northamptonshire made 169 runs in their second innings, Johnston and Ring taking four wickets each. In neither of the county innings did any player reach 50. [Cite book
title = Wisden Cricketers' Almanack
edition = 1949
publisher = Wisden
chapter = Australians in England, 1948
pages = pp. 232–233]

=v Yorkshire=

:;At Sheffield, June 19, 21, 22. The Australians (249 and 285 for five declared) drew with Yorkshire (206 and 85 for four). [cite web
url = http://www.cricketarchive.com/Archive/Scorecards/18/18526.html
title = Yorkshire v Australians
date = 1948-06-19
publisher = CricketArchive
accessdate = 2007-12-26]

The Australians were made to work hard for their 249, with only Bradman reaching 50 and four wickets for Alec Coxon. Yorkshire made 206 in reply, Toshack taking seven for 81 and Johnston the other three for 101: together, they bowled 81.1 of the 90.1 overs in the innings. Not wanting to tire his bowlers ahead of the second Test, Bradman declared Australia's second innings with a lead of 328 runs and only seventy minutes of play remaining. Brown hit 113 and Bradman himself 86, putting on 154 for the second wicket. [Cite book
title = Wisden Cricketers' Almanack
edition = 1949
publisher = Wisden
chapter = Australians in England, 1948
pages = pp. 233–234]

=v Surrey=

:;At The Oval, June 30, July 1, 2. Surrey (221 and 289) lost to The Australians (389 and 122 for no wicket) by 10 wickets. [cite web
url = http://www.cricketarchive.com/Archive/Scorecards/18/18553.html
title = Surrey v Australians
date = 1948-06-30
publisher = CricketArchive
accessdate = 2007-12-26]

Australia won the toss and sent in Surrey to bat. They made 221, with Parker top scoring with 76. Hamence opened the batting for Australia because Brown injured a finger while fielding, but he was out for 0. Hassett and Bradman then made a partnership of 231, Bradman making his sixth century of the tour. Surrey made 289 in their second innings, with McCool taking six for 113. Harvey and Loxton opened Australia's second innings and made the required 122 runs in only 58 minutes. [Cite book
title = Wisden Cricketers' Almanack
edition = 1949
publisher = Wisden
chapter = Australians in England, 1948
pages = pp. 237–238]

=v Gloucestershire=

:;At Bristol, July 3, 5, 6. The Australians (774 for seven declared) beat Gloucestershire (279 and 132) by an innings and 363 runs. [cite web
url = http://www.cricketarchive.com/Archive/Scorecards/18/18558.html
title = Gloucestershire v Australians
date = 1948-07-03
publisher = CricketArchive
accessdate = 2007-12-26]

The Australians made the highest score of the tour, and it was also the second biggest score by an Australian team in England (the 1893 team made 843 against a "Oxford and Cambridge Universities Past and Present" at Portsmouth), and the highest score by an Australian team versus an English county. Morris's 290, made from 466 balls in five hours, was the highest individual score of the tour. Loxton made 159 not out, Harvey 95 and McCool 76. Gloucestershire replied with an innings of 279, in which Jack Crapp made 100 not out, but made only 132 after the follow-on. Johnson took 11 wickets in the match, with six for 68 in the first innings and five for 32 in the second; Ring took five for 47 in the second innings. [Cite book
title = Wisden Cricketers' Almanack
edition = 1949
publisher = Wisden
chapter = Australians in England, 1948
pages = pp. 238–239]

=v Middlesex=

:;At Lord's, July 17, 19, 20. Middlesex (203 and 135) lost to the Australians (317 and 22 for no wicket) by ten wickets. [cite web
url = http://www.cricketarchive.com/Archive/Scorecards/18/18593.html
title = Middlesex v Australians
date = 1948-07-17
publisher = CricketArchive
accessdate = 2007-12-26]

Denis Compton hit a restrained 62 which enabled Middlesex to reach 203, with five bowlers sharing the wickets. At one stage Australia were 53 for three wickets, but Morris and Loxton had a partnership of 172, with Morris making 109 and Loxton top-scoring with 123. No other batsman bettered Hamence's 30, and Jim Sims took six for 65. Middlesex scored 135 in their second innings, with only John Dewes, with 51, and Leslie Compton delaying matters much. Again five bowlers shared the wickets. McCool and Ring made the 22 required for victory. [Cite book
title = Wisden Cricketers' Almanack
edition = 1949
publisher = Wisden
chapter = Australians in England, 1948
pages = pp. 242–243]

=v Derbyshire=

:;At Derby, July 28, 29, 30. The Australians (456) beat Derbyshire (240 and 182) by an innings and 34 runs. [cite web
url = http://www.cricketarchive.com/Archive/Scorecards/18/18616.html
title = Derbyshire v Australians
date = 1948-07-28
publisher = CricketArchive
accessdate = 2007-12-26]

The Australians batted first, and Brown top scored with 140, his first 50 taking three hours. He shared century stands with Bradman, who made 62 and Miller (57). Loxton later made 51. Derbyshire made 240 in their first innings with the future Test umpire Charles Elliott top-scoring with 57, but the county followed on 216 behind. In their second innings they made 182, with Denis Smith making 88, the highest individual score ever made by a Derbyshire player against the Australians. But only one other player reached double figures. There was a Derbyshire record attendance of 17,000 on the first day [Cite book
title = Wisden Cricketers' Almanack
edition = 1949
publisher = Wisden
chapter = Australians in England, 1948
pages = pp. 246–247]

=v Glamorgan=

:;At Swansea, July 31, August 2, 3. Glamorgan (197) drew with the Australians (215 for three). [cite web
url = http://www.cricketarchive.com/Archive/Scorecards/18/18619.html
title = Glamorgan v Australians
date = 1948-07-31
publisher = CricketArchive
accessdate = 2007-12-26]

Rain prevented play after 3pm on the second day. No one scored more than 40 as Glamorgan made 197, with the four Australian bowlers, Lindwall, Miller, Johnson and Ring sharing the wickets. The Australians' 215 for three was based on an aggressive 84 from Miller, with five sixes and seven fours, and a partnership of 126 with Hassett, who was 71 not out when the rain came. The attendance on the two days of play totalled 50,000. [Cite book
title = Wisden Cricketers' Almanack
edition = 1949
publisher = Wisden
chapter = Australians in England, 1948
pages = pp. 247–248]

=v Warwickshire=

:;At Birmingham, August 4, 5, 6. Warwickshire (138 and 155) lost to the Australians (254 and 41 for one wicket) by nine wickets. [cite web
url = http://www.cricketarchive.com/Archive/Scorecards/18/18634.html
title = Warwickshire v Australians
date = 1948-08-04
publisher = CricketArchive
accessdate = 2007-12-26]

Bradman put Warwickshire in to bat on a wet pitch and Warwickshire struggled to 138 in an innings that lasted almost 80 overs. Australia scored 254 in reply, with Hassett top-scoring with 68 and four other batsmen reaching 30. But most of the Australian batsmen were uncomfortable against the leg-spin and googlies of Eric Hollies, whose eight wickets for 107 were the best innings analysis against the Australians on the whole tour and earned him a call-up for the fifth and final Test. In their second innings Warwickshire made 155 runs, Johnston and McCool taking four wickets each, Johnston's four for 32 coming from 39 overs. Australia made the required 41 by lunch on the third day. [Cite book
title = Wisden Cricketers' Almanack
edition = 1949
publisher = Wisden
chapter = Australians in England, 1948
pages = pp. 248–249]

=v Lancashire=

:;At Old Trafford, Manchester, August 7, 9, 10. The Australians (321 and 265 for three declared) drew with Lancashire (130 and 199 for seven). [cite web
url = http://www.cricketarchive.com/Archive/Scorecards/18/18639.html
title = Lancashire v Australians
date = 1948-08-07
publisher = CricketArchive
accessdate = 2007-12-26]

Cyril Washbrook's benefit match brought him a then record sum, £14,000, but it was a mixed experience because he injured his right thumb whilst facing Lindwall and withdrew from the England team for the Fifth Test. The Australians scored 321 in their first innings with only Barnes reaching 50 and six wickets (for 73 runs) for the slow left-arm bowler William Roberts. Lancashire replied with 130 of which Washbrook made 38, but the Australians did not enforce the follow on. Australia made another 265 and Bradman scored an unbeaten 133, his highest at Old Trafford, with 90 for Barnes. Bradman declared at lunch on the third day, but Lancashire held on, and Jack Ikin made 99. [Cite book
title = Wisden Cricketers' Almanack
edition = 1949
publisher = Wisden
chapter = Australians in England, 1948
pages = pp. 249–250]

=v Durham=

:;At Sunderland, August 11, 12. The Australians (282) drew with Durham (73 for five). [cite web
url = http://www.cricketarchive.com/Archive/Scorecards/18/18654.html
title = Durham v Australians
date = 1948-08-11
publisher = CricketArchive
accessdate = 2007-12-26]

Attendance was 17,000 on the first day of this two-day non-firsdt-class match. Rain prevented any play on the second day. After a poor start that saw them 22 for three, McCool and Miller made half-centuries for the Australians. Five Australian bowlers each took one wicket before rain ended the match. [Cite book
title = Wisden Cricketers' Almanack
edition = 1949
publisher = Wisden
chapter = Australians in England, 1948
pages = pp. 250–251]

=v Kent=

:;At Canterbury, August 21, 23. The Australians (361) beat Kent (51 and 124) by an innings and 186 runs. [cite web
url = http://www.cricketarchive.com/Archive/Scorecards/18/18674.html
title = Kent v Australians
date = 1948-08-21
publisher = CricketArchive
accessdate = 2007-12-26]

Brown made 106, and Bradman and Harvey both scored half-centuries. Kent collapsed to the lowest score of the tour and half the side were out for 45 in the second innings. Tony Pawson and Godfrey Evans added 71, but the match, held in front of record crowds for the ground, ended inside two days. [Cite book
title = Wisden Cricketers' Almanack
edition = 1949
publisher = Wisden
chapter = Australians in England, 1948
pages = p. 254]

v Gentlemen

:;At Lord's, August 25, 26, 27. The Australians (610 for five declared) beat the Gentlemen (245 and 284) by an innings and 81 runs. [cite web
url = http://www.cricketarchive.com/Archive/Scorecards/18/18684.html
title = Gentlemen v Australians
date = 1948-08-25
publisher = CricketArchive
accessdate = 2007-12-26]

In his last match at Lord's, Bradman made his ninth century of the tour against a side composed almost entirely of Test players. Brown and Hassett also scored centuries, with Hassett making 200 not out, and Miller made 69. The Gentlemen responded with 242 in which Reg Simpson made 60 and, following on, 284, with Bill Edrich making 128 and Ring taking five for 70. [Cite book
title = Wisden Cricketers' Almanack
edition = 1949
publisher = Wisden
chapter = Australians in England, 1948
pages = pp. 255–256]

=v Somerset=

:;At Taunton, August 28, 30. The Australians (560 for five declared) beat Somerset (115 and 71)by an innings and 374 runs. [cite web
url = http://www.cricketarchive.com/Archive/Scorecards/18/18696.html
title = Somerset v Australians
date = 1948-08-28
publisher = CricketArchive
accessdate = 2007-12-26]

The Australians made all their runs on the first day, with centuries for Hassett, Harvey and Johnson and 99 for Hamence. On the Monday, on a pitch that was taking spin, Somerset collapsed twice inside four hours. McCool, later in his career to return as a Somerset player, took four wickets in each innings, and Johnston also took eight, with five for 34 in the second innings. He took the last two wickets of the Somerset first innings in his slow bowling role, and then had Harold Gimblett lbw with the second ball of the second innings as a fast-medium bowler to take three wickets in four balls. [Cite book
title = Wisden Cricketers' Almanack
edition = 1949
publisher = Wisden
chapter = Australians in England, 1948
pages = pp. 256–257]

v South of England

:;At Hastings, September 1, 2, 3. The Australians (522 for seven declared) drew with the South of England XI (298). [cite web
url = http://www.cricketarchive.com/Archive/Scorecards/18/18698.html
title = South of England v Australians
date = 1948-09-01
publisher = CricketArchive
accessdate = 2007-12-26]

Hassett top scored with 151, his third consecutive century, and centuries also for Bradman and Harvey enabled the Australians to declare. Harvey's century took only 90 minutes and Loxton later hit 67 in 75 minutes. The second and third days were continually interrupted by rain, and Compton made 82 in the showers. Bradman rested his regular bowlers and Brown took four for 16 in 4.1 overs to finish the innings, the only overs he bowled in first-class cricket on the entire tour. There was no time left for second innings. [Cite book
title = Wisden Cricketers' Almanack
edition = 1949
publisher = Wisden
chapter = Australians in England, 1948
pages = pp. 257–258]

v HDG Leveson-Gower's XI

:;At Scarborough, September 8, 9, 10. Leveson-Gower's XI (177 and 75 for two) drew with the Australians (489 for eight declared). [cite web
url = http://www.cricketarchive.com/Archive/Scorecards/18/18706.html
title = H.D.G. Leveson-Gower's XI v Australians
date = 1948-09-08
publisher = CricketArchive
accessdate = 2007-12-26]

This was the final match for Bradman in England, and the ground was crowded despite rain interruptions. Leveson-Gower's XI played on the understanding that they would include no more than six Test players. Their captain Walter Robins won the toss and decided to bat, but Lindwall took six wickets for 59 in an innings that lasted into the second day. Bradman and Barnes made 153 and 151 respectively, sharing a second wicket partnership of 225 after Morris was out for 62. Loxton hit a ball from Freddie Brown into his own face, breaking his nose. Leveson-Gower's XI played out time, with Bradman bowling the last over. [Cite book
title = Wisden Cricketers' Almanack
edition = 1949
publisher = Wisden
chapter = Australians in England, 1948
pages = pp. 258–259]

v Scotland

:;At Edinburgh, September 13, 14. The Australians (236) beat Scotland (85 and 111) by an innings and 40 runs. [cite web
url = http://www.cricketarchive.com/Archive/Scorecards/18/18707.html
title = Scotland v Australians
date = 1948-09-13
publisher = CricketArchive
accessdate = 2007-12-26]

This was a two-day match that was not colunted as first-class. Morris top scored with 112, and McCool made 52, but all struggled against the leg-spin of William Laidlaw, who took five for 51. Scotland collapsed against Johnston and Johnson, who took six for 15 and three for 18 respectively. A second-innings opening stand of 50 preceded a second collapse, this time with Ring and Morris taking four for 20 and five for 10. [Cite book
title = Wisden Cricketers' Almanack
edition = 1949
publisher = Wisden
chapter = Australians in England, 1948
pages = pp. 259–260]

v Scotland

:;At Aberdeen, September 17, 18. Scotland (178 and 142) lost to the Australians (407 for six declared) by an innings and 87 runs. [cite web
url = http://www.cricketarchive.com/Archive/Scorecards/18/18709.html
title = Scotland v Australians
date = 1948-09-17
publisher = CricketArchive
accessdate = 2007-12-26] In another two-day non-first-class match, Scotland batted better than in Edinburgh but still lost. Bradman top-scored with 123 in his last match in Britain and McCool, promoted to open, also made a century. Johnson made 95. Scotland then made 142 in some light-hearted cricket in which wicketkeeper Tallon took two wickets and stand-in keeper Johnson stumped a Scottish batsman off Ring. [Cite book
title = Wisden Cricketers' Almanack
edition = 1949
publisher = Wisden
chapter = Australians in England, 1948
pages = pp. 260–261]

ee also

* 1948 English cricket season

Notes

References

* In association with the Bradman Museum, with extracts from Wisden Cricketers' Almanack.

* "A History of Australian Cricket" by Chris Harte (André Deutsch Ltd, London, 1993): ISBN= 0-233-98825-4; with introduction by Richie Benaud
* "Playfair Cricket Annual 1949"
* "Wisden Cricketers' Almanack 1949"

External sources

* [http://www.cricketarchive.co.uk/Archive/Seasons/ENG/1948_ENG_Australia_in_England_1948.html CricketArchive tour itinerary]
* [http://content.cricinfo.com/wisdenalmanack/content/story/155254.html Wisden reports on Australians in England, 1948]
* [http://ind.cricinfo.com/link_to_database/ARCHIVE/1940S/1948/AUS_IN_ENG/ Cricinfo full tour index]