England's last home Test of the summer was a timeless Test — played to a finish — to break the deadlock of the series. Wally Hammond, in his first series as England's amateur captain, won the toss on 20 August 1938 and chose to bat. Hutton walked out at No. 1 and stayed for over 13 hours, scoring 364 from 847 balls — the new world Test record, surpassing Bradman's 334 from 1930. Maurice Leyland made 187, Joe Hardstaff 169 not out.
The innings ended only when Bradman, bowling a few overs of leg-spin to give his bowlers a rest, fractured his ankle in the bowling crease and had to be carried off. Hammond, with England 903 for 7 and his attack tiring, declared. He had no choice; Australia were a bowler down and Bradman would not bat in either innings.
With Bradman absent and McCabe also injured, Australia were 201 all out (Barnes 41) and 123 (Hassett 42). England won by an innings and 579 runs — still the largest victory margin in Test history. Hutton's 364 stood as the world Test record for nearly 20 years until Sobers' 365* in 1958.
The series ended 1-1 with two draws (one washed out at Manchester); Australia, holders, retained the Ashes 1-1, with the 1938 result asterisked in the record books for Bradman's absence from the deciding match.