Australia’s Invincibles, 1948 - Part 2: How Bradman stunned England at Headingley

HUW TURBERVILL: Australia’s captain made two centuries for the Invincibles in the 1948 series

^{Sir Don Bradman, left, and how The Cricketer reported the second Test of the 1948 Ashes}

Don Bradman may have been 39, and the 1948 Ashes may always be recalled for his famous final failure, but brilliant centuries at Trent Bridge and Headingley showed he was still a great player.

England chose to bat in the first Test in Nottingham, but struggled to 165 all out, left-arm quick Bill Johnston exploiting a skiddy surface to take 5 for 36.

An obdurate Bradman made 138 as Australia ground their way to 509. Lindsay Hassett scored 137, with England captain Norman Yardley even trying a little ‘Leg Theory’ to subdue the tourists.

England fared better second time around, totalling 441, Denis Compton making his highest score against Australia, 184. The nation adored him, desperate for something to latch on to amid the post-War gloom. “There was no rationing in an innings by Compton,” wrote Neville Cardus. 

“I remember him getting clonked on the head by Miller,” said Reg Simpson, “but he recovered. It was only a glancing blow.” [It seems probable that this was actually when Compton was dismissed, hit wicket]. 

Miller bowled five bouncers in eight balls at Len Hutton. The crowd barracked him, forcing Nottinghamshire’s secretary, Mr HA Brown, to appeal to them to show respect.

^{Bradman takes to the field}

Australia made 98 for 2 to win, Sid Barnes finishing unbeaten on 64, although Bradman made his first duck in England.

The second Test at Lord’s, the 150th between the countries, attracted 132,000 spectators, a record for any Test in England. Australia won their only toss of the series and made 350, Arthur Morris cover-driving beautifully to score 105. England could muster only 215 in reply, with Ray Lindwall, now recovered from the groin injury that had hampered him in Nottingham, taking 5 for 70.

Australia made the game safe in their second innings, making 460 for 7, with Barnes scoring 141. England, needing 596, managed only 186, left-arm seamer Ernie Toshack taking 5 for 40.

Hutton was dropped for the third Test at Old Trafford, delighting Australia, who considered him England’s best player. Compton was having a fine series, however, and he made 145 not out as the hosts totalled 363. Australia managed only 221 in reply. Cyril Washbrook then made 85 not out on his county pitch before England declared on 174 for 3. After two days of heavy rain they did not have enough time to force a win, though, Australia ending on 92 for 1.

Australia reasserted their supremacy in the fourth Test at Headingley, clinching the Ashes. England must have felt safe after scoring 496, Washbrook making 143. Australia replied with 458, Harvey hitting 112 in his first Test against England. After reaching 365 for 8 second time round, Yardley felt brave enough to declare, only to see triumphant Australia reach 404 for 3 on a turning wicket on day five, thanks to the left/right-handed combination of Morris, who made 182, and Bradman, who scored 173 not out, his last Test century against England. At lunch they were 121 for 1, at tea 288 for 1, and then they won with 15 minutes remaining.

^{Bradman attends a dinner with Jack Hobbs, left, and CB Fry}

Bradman rated his reception from the Leeds crowd, and the guard of honour from the England players, as the one he cherished most in his Test career, and he said: “It was the greatest Ashes victory by an Australia team.”

They did not have long to celebrate, though, packing their bags inside 45 minutes to catch the 9pm train to Derby for their next tour game. They only celebrated the retention of the urn properly two days later.

Australia’s unbeaten record came under threat against a strong Leveson Gower XI at Scarborough (featuring five current England players and a couple of New Zealand Test stars). The eponymous cricket administrator Henry Dudley Gresham Leveson Gower was determined to see Australia toppled at least once, but Bradman’s 11th century of the summer in his last game in England ensured a draw.

A two-match trip to Scotland (resulting in a pair of innings wins against the national side, at Edinburgh and Aberdeen) then proved less taxing, at least on the field.

Bradman had found the tour gruelling. He had stayed up until 1am many nights personally replying to all the letters he had received from supporters and admirers, and turned 40 soon after the fifth Test, during the match against the Gentlemen of England at Lord’s. At least games of golf helped to relax him. There had been long journeys by rail and road, and he had been troubled by Alec Bedser and his leg-trap in the Tests, but his form held up, and there were many personal highlights, including meeting King George VI and Queen Consort Elizabeth at Lord’s and Balmoral.

Now he had just one more Test to rouse himself, and find those precious four runs he needed…

PART ONE: How Bradman cheered up England