X-Nico

4 unusual facts about Victory Tests


Cec Pepper

He fought in World War II in the Middle East and New Guinea, and at the end of the war he played for Australian Services cricket teams in England (the "Victory Tests" series) in 1945 and in India, Ceylon and Australia in 1945–46.

Lindsay Hassett with the Australian cricket team in England in 1948

Following the interruption of World War II, Hassett led the Australian Services—a military team—in the Victory Tests.

Victory Tests

The team was officially a military unit, commanded by Squadron Leader Stan Sismey, the team's wicket-keeper.

The players were deliberately stationed with each other in England for the express purpose of forming a cricket team to tour the country, with Australian prime minister John Curtin pushing for the immediate resumption of international cricket after the war was over.



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