This film is part of Free

The MCC Expeditionary Force in Australia 1954-5

A record of the England Cricket team’s tour of Australia in 1954-55 with stopovers on the way.

Amateur film 1955 36 mins Silent

Overview

This wonderful record of the England Cricket team's tour of Australia 1954-55 treats us to en route glimpses of Pompeii, the Suez canal, a bit of batting practice by the press and even some shots of the Australian Open tennis final (Rosewall v Hoad). But before long it's down to the serious business of cricket and the fight for the Ashes. The England team, led by Len Hutton and featuring Denis Compton and a young Colin Cowdrey came out victorious. Aptly, with the last ball of the series Hutton bowls Benaud.

This amateur footage was shot by reserve wicketkeeper Keith Andrew, who got the chance to play in the first Test when Godfrey Evans was ruled out with heatstroke. England became the first team to defeat Australia at home since the Bodyline series of 1932.