England went into the fourth Test 2-1 up in the series. A win at Brisbane would mean they regained the Ashes. Australia ended the first day at 251 for the loss of only three wickets. On the second day Australia were out for the unexpectedly low total of 340 and English hopes were raised. On the third day with the loss of Eddie Paynter due to the affect of heat, England fared badly until Paynter on hearing the news left his hospital bed and arrived at the pavillion just after the tea interval. G.O. Allen's dismissal meant that he was in almost immediately. At the end of the day, after an hour and a quarter at the wicket, he had made 24 not out. After another night in hospital he took his score on to 83 the next day. At the end of the day England was left with just 160 runs to win. On the sixth and final day the score mounted steadily from the overnight figure of 107 for two but by one o'clock Maurice Leyland and Douglas Jardine were both out. Paynter relates the outcome in his autobiography Cricket all the Way: "I took Maurice's place at the crease in an atmosphere of tremendous excitement, with 42 runs needed for victory, 6 wickets in hand and half an hour to lunch. Les Ames was my partner as we batted for every single, but the skies were darkining and, by ten minures past one, it was drizzling disconcertingly. The winning total drew nearer and the last over before lunch was called with but 6 runs needed to win the 'Ashes.' I was facing Stan McCabe and made no score from his first two good length deliveries. McCabe was obviously having difficulty in controlling the wet ball and his third delivery came to me as a leg side full toss. I hooked quickly and the ball soared out of the arena and into the crowd behind deep fine leg. We had won the 'Ashes.'"
Teams:
England. D.R. Jardine (Captain), R.E.S. Wyatt, G.O. Allen, F.R. Brown, The Nawab of Pataudi, W.R. Hammond, H. Suttcliffe, M. Leyland, H. Verity, W.E. Bowes, E. Paynter, G. Duckworth, L.E.G. Ames, T.B. Mitchell, H. Larwood, W. Voce, M.W. Tate.

Australia. W.M. Woodfull, W.H. Ponsford, S.J. McCabe, V.Y. Richardson, H.S. Love, T. Wall, L. Darling, W.J. O'Reilly, Don Bradman, H. Ironmonger, E.H. Bromley.