Quest for the Ashes 1948

1948 Australians were probably one of the strongest touring sides ever, and only in their spin bowlers were they below world class. But with fast bowlers of the calibre of Lindwall, Miller and Johnston this deficiency was hardly noticed. Indeed leg-spinner McCool and off break bowler Ian Johnson both averaged below 19 on the tour as a whole, and took 57 and 85 wickets respectively. But McCool didn’t make the Test side and Ian Johnson took only 7 wickets at 61.00. Bill Johnston was the workhorse, taking 102 wickets on the tour [at 16.42] and 27 [ at 23.33] in the Tests. Their fast bowlers clearly relished the current Law enabling them to take a new ball every 55 overs.

No fewer than seven batsmen averaged over 50 in all the  matches, led by Bradman [2428 @89.92], Hassett [1563 @ 74.42] and Morris [1922 @ 71.18] and Morris, Barnes, Bradman and Harvey all averaged over 65 in the Tests. Apart from their 4-0 win in the Test series the Australians claimed the proud record of remaining unbeaten through out the tour, and set a world record by scoring 721 in a day against Essex at Southend.

AUSTRALIA

Barnes

Bradman

Brown

Harvey

Hassett

Johnson

Johnston

Lindwall

Loxton

Miller

Morris

Ring

Daggers

Tallon

Toshack

 ENGLAND

Barnett

Bedser

Compton

Coxon

Cranston

Crapp

Dewes

Dollery

Edrich

Emmett

Evans

Hardstaff

Hollies

Hutton

Laker

Pollard

Washbrook

Watkins

Wright

Yardley

Young