AUSTRALIA v INDIA 1947-48

Although they gained another overwhelming success, and in so doing won the rubber, the match was a personal triumph for Hazare, who followed Bradman's example in the Third Test and hit a hundred in each innings. Against such a powerful attack as that possessed by the Australians, this was a truly remarkable performance. To balance this, however, Bradman was once again in irresistible form, hitting a double hundred. Hassett fell only two short of that figure and Barnes also completed a century.

Bradman gave Australia a big advantage when he won the toss for the third time; on a perfect pitch bowlers were helpless to check the flow of runs. Morris fell early, but Barnes and Bradman shared in a second wicket stand of 236. Apart from a chance to second slip when 61, Barnes batted faultlessly. Bradman, always the complete master, scored 201 out of 341 before leaving towards the close of the first day. More free hitting came from Hassett and Miller during a fourth-wicket partnership of 142. An interesting race developed to see whether Hassett could complete two hundred, but he was just short, taking out his bat for an excellent 198. In reaching 674, Australia made the highest score ever recorded against India and also the biggest total for any Test match in Australia.

India made a shocking start, losing two wickets for six runs, but they fought back well. Half the side fell for 133, but Hazare found a capable partner in Phadkar, 188 runs being added. Hazare, always master of the situation, hit fourteen 4's and his partner fifteen 4's. Despite this gallant effort, India followed-on 293 behind, and this time their start was even worse, two wickets falling without a run on the board. Six men were out for 139 and it looked as though India would capitulate easily, but Hazare again refused to be disturbed by the situation; he received useful help from Adhikari and 132 runs were added. Then the end soon came, the last three wickets falling for six runs. Six men failed to score in this innings, most of the batsmen finding the pace of Lindwall too much for them. Accurate attacking bowling brought Lindwall seven wickets for 38 runs.