The fifth and final Test of the 1948 Ashes series, played at The Oval from August 14 to 18, 1948, is a significant chapter in cricket history, not just because it was part of the Ashes, but because it marked the last time Donald Bradman would step onto a cricket field as a Test player.
Australia, under Bradman’s leadership, had been thoroughly dominant throughout the series, winning the first, second and fourth Tests and drawing the third, thus retaining the Ashes.
Don Bradman See page for author, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
Bradman came into the series with a nearly mythical Test batting average of 102.98, but by the start of this final Test, it had slightly decreased to 101.39. As the world watched, anticipation built around whether Bradman could end his career with an average above 100, a feat never achieved before or since.
What he needed to do to achieve this depended on how many times he was dismissed. If he was dismissed twice, he would need to score at least 104 runs to end up with an average of 100 or more; if he was dismissed just the once, he would need only 4 runs to average 100.
England’s First Innings
England won the toss and chose to bat. Their innings was nothing short of a disaster. Ray Lindwall, one of Australia’s premier fast bowlers, delivered a masterful performance, taking 6/20. England’s batsmen were unable to cope with his pace and accuracy, and they crumbled to a total of 52 runs in just 42.1 overs.
Leonard Hutton was the only English batsman to hit double figures, scoring 30 runs before he was last out, caught by wicket keeper Don Tallon off Lindwall. The collapse set the tone for the rest of the match, putting Australia firmly in control.
Australia’s First Innings
Australia’s response was led by a spectacular innings from Arthur Morris, who scored 196 runs before he was run out. His opening partnership with Sid Barnes was crucial in building a strong lead. When Barnes was first out for 61, with the score at 117, Australia were already double England’s first innings.
Barne’s dismissal brought in Don Bradman. With Australia already in such a dominant position, the likelihood was that the Don would only bat once in this test. With 6996 runs from 79 innings (which included 10 not outs), Don Bradman needed just 4 runs to score 7000, and ensure his average stayed in the triple figures.
As Bradman approached the crease, the English team, led by captain Norman Yardley, formed a guard of honour, a rare and respectful tribute to the legendary cricketer. The crowd at The Oval rose to their feet in applause, recognizing the significance of the moment.
Bradman took his guard and faced up to Eric Hollies.
Eric Hollies, a leg-spinner who played for Warwickshire, had, to this point, played just six tests, having taken 19 wickets at a respectable average of 28.84, with two five wicket hauls and a best bowling effort of 7/67, taken in his second test against the West Indies in 1935.
The first ball Bradman faced was a leg break, which Bradman defended confidently. The next ball, however, was a googly – spinning in the opposite direction – slightly quicker and fuller. Bradman played forward, perhaps fooled into thinking it was another leg break, but the ball missed the inside edge of his bat and went on to hit the stumps.
The crowd was stunned; Bradman was out for a duck. As he walked back to the pavilion, the crowd’s initial silence turned into a standing ovation, acknowledging the end of an illustrious career. His final Test batting average would stand at 99.94—just four runs short of the fabled 100.
Despite the disappointment of Bradman’s final innings, Australia continued to pile on the runs. Eric Hollies, who had bowled Bradman, was the pick of the English bowlers, finishing with figures of 5/131.
(Hollies would eventually play 13 tests and take 44 wickets, at an average of 30.27, but none of those other 43 wickets would be talked about as much as the time he dismissed Don Bradman for a duck).
Australia eventually declared their innings at 389, securing a substantial lead of 337 runs.
England’s Second Innings
Facing a daunting deficit, England needed a solid performance in their second innings to avoid an innings defeat. Leonard Hutton once again stood out, scoring a composed 64 runs. However, the rest of the English batting lineup struggled against the relentless Australian bowling attack, with only Denis Compton (39) and Bill Edrich (28) passing 20.
Bill Johnston took 4/40, and Ray Lindwall took 3/50, continuing his excellent form from the first innings, to make it 9 for the match.
England was eventually bowled out for 188 runs, leaving Australia victorious by an innings and 149 runs. The match ended in just four days, with Australia completing a 4-0 series win.
Legacy of Bradman’s Final Test
Don Bradman’s final Test match at The Oval is remembered not only for the unexpected and poignant nature of his last innings but also for the lasting legacy it left in the world of cricket. His final Test batting average of 99.94 remains an extraordinary achievement, symbolizing an unmatched level of dominance in the sport.
Bradman’s career is often cited as the gold standard in cricket, and his influence on the game is profound. The 1948 Ashes series, particularly this final Test, is remembered for both Australia’s dominance and the end of an era in cricket with Bradman’s retirement.
For cricket fans and historians, Bradman’s final Test is more than just a game; it’s a moment of transition, marking the end of one of the greatest careers in sports history. Perhaps ironically, the fact that Bradman scored a duck, missing out on averaging 100 runs, pushes the match even more firmly into the Australian fan sporting psyche than if he had hit 4 runs and averaged 100.
The 1948 Australian team, often referred to as “The Invincibles,” is remembered as one of the greatest cricket teams ever assembled. Their undefeated tour of England is legendary, and Bradman’s leadership was a crucial element of their success. The Oval Test, despite the surprising end to Bradman’s innings, was a fitting conclusion to a series that showcased some of the finest cricket ever played.
In the years since, Bradman’s final Test innings has become the stuff of legend, often discussed in cricketing circles and serving as an inspiration to generations of cricketers. His legacy continues to inspire not only in terms of the records he set but also in the way he played the game—with integrity, skill, and an unwavering commitment to excellence.