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A Brief History |
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The Evolution of the 1945–1946 Australian Services XI
Whilst the Second World War raged across the globe, the game of cricket was kept alive by servicemen and local people in a number of cricket loving countries. Various Australian Army, Air Force and Navy cricket teams evolved during the war and as Victory in Europe approached, an Australian Services XI was created to play an unofficial Test Series against England. This series was known as The Victory Tests. After the hardship and uncertainty faced by the players through the years of Army or Air Force Service, the games in England, then later Ceylon (Sri Lanka), India and finally Australia, were played in a very happy, sporting and exciting spirit. The players were thankful to have survived the war and all carried precious memories of team-mates and friends that would never come home. The Australian Services XI were a team of battlers in the real sense...and they had everything to play for. 
After six years of war, peace was dawning...and with it, a new era in International Test Cricket - the strong foundations had been laid, helped along in no small part by the character and performance of the men who were the 1945–46 Australian Services XI. The five Victory Tests were attended by 370,000 civilians and service personnel who witnessed many exciting and memorable moments. The result of the series for the Services XI against a near full-strength England Test side was a commendable 2 wins, 2 losses and 1 draw. The signed commemmorative bat is a record of an important part of Australia's sporting and military history. It is much more than just another signed memorabilia piece. It is recognition, a tribute and a celebration of a remarkable and successful sporting team, in effect a military unit, born from the ashes of a World War and made up of serving soldiers and airmen. The Services XI team played games where, in many cases, needy Australian and English charities benefited from the gate takings. It is right and fitting that the 1945–46 Australian Services XI be remembered once more for their endeavours and service to Australia, both on and off the cricket field, in the tumultuous years of the 1940's.
Copyright © 2005 Limelight Shadows Memorabilia. |