The Third Test of the 1948 Ashes series was one of five Tests in the Ashes cricket series. The match was played at Old Trafford in Manchester from 8–13 July 1948, with a rest day on 11 July. It was drawn after the whole of the fourth day and the first half of the fifth day was washed out due to rain. As Australia were the holders of The Ashes, the draw meant that England could do no better than level the series 2–2 by winning the last two Tests.
About Third Test, 1948 Ashes series in brief
The Third Test of the 1948 Ashes series was one of five Tests in the Ashes cricket series. The match was played at Old Trafford in Manchester from 8–13 July 1948, with a rest day on 11 July. It was drawn after the whole of the fourth day and the first half of the fifth day was washed out due to rain. The draw maintained Australia’s 2–0 lead in the series, which was established through victories in the first two Tests. As Australia were the holders of The Ashes, the draw meant that England could do no better than level the series 2–2 by winning the last two Tests, and thus Australia retained The Ashes. The Test started amid controversy following the omission of leading England batsman Len Hutton for performing poorly in the previous match. Despite the fact that 30% of the playing time was lost to rain, the match still managed to set a record for the highest attendance at a Test match in England, surpassing the mark set by the previous Test. Between the Second Test and the Third Test, Australia defeated England by 409 runs before wons in the Second innings at Lord’s and 363 runs in the Third. The Australian batsman thereafter played for a draw; they batted slowly and reached 921 when stumps were drawn, not making an attempt to chase the 317 for victory. Arthur Morris made 54 not out, his second half-century of the match to go with his 51 in first innings, registering Australia’s top-score on both occasions. After winning 10 of the 12 games before the Tests, Australia won the First Test by eight wickets, they defeated Northampthire by an innings, and crushed Surrey by tenickets and Gloucestershire by 363 runs, having amassed 7747 runs in their first innings.
Between Tests 1 and 2, they crushed England’s. England captain Norman Yardley won the toss and elected to bat, but his team were quickly in trouble, with Denis Compton forced from the field after being bloodied in the head by a Ray Lindwall bouncer. At this stage, the hosts were at 332 with an injured player, and they batted defensively for a period to try and regroup. Having received treatment, Compton returned with England in difficulty at 1195 midway through the day and proceeded to score 145 not out. Australia scored slowly through the innings, finding the hosts’ bowlers difficult to negotiate; Bedser took 481 and Pollard 353. England began their second innings and were strongly placed on 1743 at the end of the third day, an overall lead of 316 with seven wickets in hand. They had been aided by several dropped chances against Cyril Washbrook, who reached 85 by the close of play. During the England innings, Australian opener Sid Barnes, who had gained much attention throughout the season for fielding at point-blank range in front of the batsman on strike, was hit in the ribs by a Dick Pollard pull shot and had to be carried from the ground and hospitalised. England could have been in an even stronger position, but seamer Alec Bedser were involved in a mix-up, resulting in the latter being run out and ending a 121-run partnership.
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