Bradman retained his captaincy in 1938 as Australia travelled to England to try and retain the Ashes after a hard home series victory two years earlier. Hammond replaced Allen as England's captain.

The two teams met at Trent Bridge for the first test and both teams were at full strength for the opening rubber. England batted first and Barnett soon set about posting a high score as he finished the morning session two runs short of his century, he went on to get to his century first ball after lunch. Hutton (100) and Barnett (126) shared a partnership of 219 for the first wicket, others soon followed, Paynter scored yet another century, however this time he reached his double century and was finally out for 216. Compton also scored 102 runs as England declared with the score on 658 for the loss of 8 wickets. In reply only Stan McCabe showed much resistance as he too scored a double century and the highest score of the match of 232.

Forced to follow on over 240 runs behind, Bradman made up for his first innings with a century (144) and along with Brown's 133 was enough to secure a draw as Australia ended the match on 6 for 427.

Bradman was to say of McCabe's innings 'it was the best he had ever seen', McCabe had batted for 235 minutes whilst amassing his 232, he apparently gave no chance of loosing his wicket and scored 72 runs out of the 77 scored for the final wicket. Also in the match Compton became England's youngest century maker.

The carnival moved on to Lord's where Hammond scored a fine double century (240), Paynter narrowly missing out on another century by falling one run short. Both O'Reilly and McCormick took 4 wickets and England's first innings ended on 494 all out, yet another great display of batting. Australia were not to be outdone, well only just as they scored 422 in reply. Brown carried his bat for a double century, his second successive century and Hassett scored a fine 56 and O'Reilly scored 42 to add support lower down. England declared on 242 for the loss of 8 wickets and Bradman made sure of the draw with his second century in two matches.

The Third Test was due to be played at Old Trafford, unfortunately for the second time in history, the match was abandoned without a ball being bowled due to the inclement weather. For purposes of the records, only four Tests are shown above.

Therefore with 3 matches 'played', the Series was tied at no wins to either side and Australia looked on course to retain the Ashes. England for the third match in a row batted first and scored 223 runs, Hammond scoring 76 and O'Reilly taking another 5 wickets for only 66 runs. In reply Bradman set a record for the most consecutive centuries scored in Test matches by scoring 103, thus scoring one century in his last 6 matches. Australia only led by 19 runs after the first innings were completed and thanks mainly to another superb bowling performance by O'Reilly (5 - 56) only required 105 runs to win. They made it with 5 wickets to spare and in doing so Bradman's Australia retained the Ashes.

The final Test at the Oval was to be Hutton's Test as he broke Bradman's record for the highest score scored in Test cricket with a superb knock of 364, it still remains England's top Test score. Along the way England broke the team total score with a final total of 903 for 7 wickets declared. Leyland was once again in the runs with a fine knock of 187 as was Hardstaff with 169. Both Bradman as Fingleton were unable to bat through injury and Australia were soundly beaten by an innings and 579. It remains the highest Test victory.

This was the final Ashes series before the Second World War.