England snatch defeat from the jaws of victory

FLASHBACK: 1948 - that year in Headingley in July has been named as the year that great batsman Sir Donald Bradman - the Australian strode the cricket field like a true champion. It had been ten years since the last Ashes series to be played in England, and the public looked forward to seeing the new faces in the Australian party - man like Ray Lindwall, Arthur Morris, Bill Johnstone, Don Tallon and the glamorous Keith Miller.

Cyril Washbrook made 143 and was involved in fine opening partnership of 168 and then with Edrich (111) took the score to 168.	Bill Edrich made 111 and Washbrook took the score to 268.	Arthur Morris made 182.
Donald Bradman – strode into the cricket field like a champion. He made 173 not out.	Neil Harvey – had some nervous moments but settled down to make 112.	Keith Miller played like an emperor.

Bradman's Invincibles have been labelled the greatest Australian team of all time. May be they were, but because most of the cricketing public has since become accustomed to weak English performances it would be a mistake to think the England team of 1948 provided unworthy opposition.

Compton with the bat, and Bedser with the ball were especially heroic, and while the series was in the balance it was only in the second Test at Lord's that England could be said to have been outplayed. The first Test was within a whisker of being drawn, and England were well on top when the third was ruined by rain, so when the fourth Test began England still had some hopes of squaring the series.

Hutton (81) and Washbrook (143) put on 168 runs for the first wicket before Edrich (111) and Washbrook took the score to 268. Alec Bedser (79), coming in as night watchman, then helped Edrich to add another 155 to take the score to 423 before the third wicket fell. It was at this point that a modern failing overtook England, the middle order collapsed, and they were all out for 496.

Miller played like Emperor - John Arlott

In their turn, Australia battled none too well to begin with, and when Bradman was bowled by Pollard they were 68 for three. At this critical point Keith Miller, in John Arlott's words, 'played like an emperor'. Teenager Neil Harvey, in his first Ashes Test, was in trouble against Laker, so Miller took the strike, hit Laker's first ball to him for six, and with a string of daring strokes, seized the initiative from England. Miller eventually went for 58.

'It was not merely a great innings", said John Arlott, 'but I cannot believe it possible for a cricket brain to conceive of any innings which could be greater.' Harvey, now well set, went on to score 112, and with a rollicking 93 from Sam Loxton, Australian closed on 458, giving England a lead of 38.

England scored consistently right down the order in their second innings, reaching the morning of the last day with a lead of 400 and two wickets in hand. They batted on for two overs before declaring, in order to use the heavy roller to further break up what had already become a leg spinner's wicket.

Len Hutton – made 81 and with Cyril Washbrook (143) put on 168 in their opening partnership.

This was a brilliant idea but for the fact that England weren't playing a regular leggie. Doug Wright was out through injury, and although Jack Young had been in the twelve for this game, he had then been left out.

Now they had to rely on Compton's chinamen, which could be unpredictable, and on Jim Laker who was an off-spinner.

Nevertheless, Bradman was so certain Australia would lose that he ordered the team coach to be ready at three-thirty.

Bad fielding by England

As befitted a side convinced it was on a hiding, Australia started with great caution. Laker and Compton were brought into the attack and, almost immediately, Compton dismissed Hasset. It was then that it all began to go horribly wrong. Laker simply could not control his length, and it was left to Compton to pose the problems. His chinamen may have been unpredictable, but before lunch on that fifth day, they were somewhat brilliant. Not only did he tie the batsmen, Morris and Bradman, in knots but, unfortunately for England, he baffled the fielders too. Godfrey Evars, normally the surest of keepers, missed stamping Morris when he had 32. Bradman was dropped at slip off Compton before land, and again when he was 59, shortly before the break, skipper Norman Yardley gambled by calling up the gentle, occasional leg-spin of Len Hutton.

The gamble failed. Morris and Bradman hit five consecutive fours and the whole tempo of the innings changed. Bradman said later it was at this point that he realised it was easier to win than to hang on for a draw.Courtesy of more missed catches and another missed stumping, Australia reached the largest fourth innings total in Ashes history to win by seven wickets at that stage. Morris scored 182, and Bradmon 173 not out."We were all so delighted at being on top when Australia batted that we never got down to solid concentration", Godfrey Evans later." We lost - and we should have won."