MCC tour of Australia in 1946–47

The Marylebone Cricket Club tour of Australia in 1946-47 under the captaincy of Wally Hammond was its ninth since it took official control of overseas tours in 1903-1904 and the first since the Second World War. The touring team played as England in the 1946–47 Ashes series against Australia, but as the MCC in all other games. In all there were 25 matches; 5 Test matches (which they lost 3-0), 13 other First Class matches (which they won 1-0) and 7 minor matches (which they won 3-0). Australia had been suffering a drought since 1937, but this ended as it rained in every match the MCC played on tour, including tropical thunderstorms twice in Brisbane and again in Sydney. However, this had an adverse effect on the pitches and denied the touring team adequate practice and lead to many draws.

Hammond's ill-equipped army returned to England beaten, yet deserving of the highest honours for their sportsmanship, their ability to smile in the face of certain disaster and also for their success in gaining the objective of their invasion - the spreading of cricket goodwill from the Homeland to a Dominion.

The Stirling Castle was still under the control of War Transport and was equipped more or less as a troopship - no luxury cabins as the case for the team now. Laurie Fishlock and I shared a cabin so small that we could hardly turn round. The ship was 'dry' and on board were some 700 war brides returning to Australia.

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