Victory Tests

The Victory Tests were a series of cricket matches played in England from May 19 to August 22, 1945, between a combined Australian Services XI and an English national side. The matches were played less than two weeks after the end of World War II in Europe, and were embraced by the public of England as a way to get back to their way of life from before the war.

Related Topics:
Cricket - England - May 19 - August 22 - 1945 - Australia - World War II

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The matches are known as the "Victory Tests", but they were never given full Test match status by the participating Boards of Control, because the Australian Cricket Board feared their side was not strong enough to compete with a near Test-strength England, so the games were limited to first class status instead.

Related Topics:
Test match - Australian Cricket Board - First class

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In all, the teams played five three-day matches, two of which were won by each side with one draw, resulting in the series being declared a tie. 367,000 people attended the matches at Lord's (three matches), Old Trafford and Bramall Lane (one each), with the final game at Lord's attracting a then-record 93,000 people for a single three-day match.

Related Topics:
Lord's - Old Trafford - Bramall Lane

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