This team scored 721 runs in a single day of first-class cricket

A star-studded Australian team toured England to play a five-match Test series. On that tour, Australia also faced some English county sides. They faced Essex in May 1948 and amassed a whopping 721 runs in 129 overs on the first day. Sid Barnes scored 79 but apart from him, every Australian batter, who scored half-centuries, went on to register centuries. Barnes’ opening partner Bill Brown made 153. Sam Loxton (120) and Ron Saggers (104 not out) also scored centuries. However, inspirational skipper Don Bradman was the top-scorer of the innings, as he played a brilliant innings of 187.

Essex did manage to bowl out Australia on Day 1 but that wasn’t before they conceded 721 runs. Peter Smith picked up four wickets, while Trevor Bailey, Ray Smith, and Frank Vigar chipped in with two wickets each. Eric Price was the only Essex bowler who went wicketless in the innings. He conceded 156 runs in 20 overs at an economy rate of 7.80.

After their nightmare with the ball ended, Essex walked out to bat and got blown away for 83. For Australia, Ernie Toshack was the pick of the bowlers. He scalped five wickets, conceding 31 runs in 10.5 overs. Keith Miller also bowled well to bag a three-for. Meanwhile, Bill Johnston chipped in with a solitary wicket. Australia enforced the follow on, as Essex came out to bat once again. They fared comparatively better in their second innings, scoring 187. Skipper Tom Pearce and Peter Smith scored half-centuries and helped Essex delay the inevitable after they were reduced to 46/6.

For the visitors, Ian Johnson hogged the limelight. He accounted for six wickets and conceded just 37 runs in his 21 overs. Meanwhile, Toshack picked up two wickets to add to his five in the first innings. Barnes also rolled his arm over and picked up a solitary wicket. The Aussies won by an innings and 451 runs.