Australia hosted the 40th Series, which started in 1950. England were very much under par and under strength for the series as many of the players travelling were young and inexperienced. Coupled with the fact that Brown was third choice as captain, it didn't look too promising for the tourists. The fully experienced Hassett was chosen as the home captain.

England dismissed Australia for 228 after a good performance in the field, Neil Harvey top scored with 74 and Bedser took 4 wickets. The luck turned in Australia's favour as the heaven's opened and made the pitch practically unplayable. England managed to score 68 runs and declared their innings for the loss of 7 wickets and put Australia in to bat in the same conditions. The home side did worse and only managed to score 32 runs , declaring with the loss of 7 wickets. By the close of play on the third day England were more or less defeated. 20 wickets fell on the third day and only 102 runs were scored. Hutton had been held back by Brown and didn't bat until number 8 made 62 runs out of 92 scored. Australia eventually winning by 70 runs.

Melbourne turned out to be a low scoring affair, England were without the services of Compton and it showed. They only needed 179 runs to win but failed by 29 runs after trying to get to the target too cautiously. Australia batted first scoring 197, England in reply scored 194 and therefore 3 runs short after the first round. There were no notable scores or bowling performances to speak of and as mentioned earlier Australia won the match by 29 runs, with Johnston taking 4 wickets at a cost of 26 runs.

Australia wrapped up the Series at Sydney. England were unlucky as two of their bowlers were unable to bowl due to picking up injuries while batting in the first innings total of 290. Australia batting on a good pitch and with the advantage of a light bowling attack ended their innings with a lead of 136 runs. The tourists collapsed in their second innings and lost the rubber by an innings and 13 runs. The unknown and the mysterious spin bowler Jack Iverson took 6 for 27 and sealed England's miserable performance.

There were some great performances in Adelaide, Arthur Morris scored a double century (206) out of a final total of 371 for the home side. Hutton in reply kept the England innings together with a knock of 156 as England finally fell for 272. Burke who was playing in his first Test for Australia scored 101, supported by Miller who fell one short of his century. England never looked like getting the required runs and when Hutton failed the visitors once again failed to take the game to the Australian's and lost by 274 runs. Australia had now won the last 6 Test matches.

The final Test played in Melbourne saw Alec Bedser shine for England and although the Series had already been won, England fought well. Australia batting first made 217 runs, Bedser and Brown both taking 5 wickets in the innings. In reply Simpson scored a fine innings of 156 not out as England ended 103 runs ahead of the home side at 320 all out. Five more wickets for Bedser left England only requiring 95 runs to win and they did so for the loss of only 2 wickets, Hutton scored 60 of the 95 runs scored.