Compton & Edrich Add 370 at Lord's — June 1947

Compton was already deep into his record summer (3,816 first-class runs, 18 hundreds). Edrich, a former Bomber Command pilot, was making 3,539 runs of his own. The Middlesex pair had begun the championship season with several huge stands, including 287 v Surrey and 277 v Sussex.

South Africa, captained by Alan Melville, had drawn the first Test at Trent Bridge after Melville and Nourse made hundreds. England were determined to assert at Lord's; Hammond chose to bat in the strong sunshine.

Walter Hammond, in his last home series, won the toss and batted. Hutton went for 18, Washbrook for 65, and at 96/2 Compton joined Edrich. Both Middlesex men, born within a few miles of one another and both 29, they had spent the morning trains together as Arsenal team-mates as well.

By stumps on the second day they had taken England to 477/3, with Compton 162 not out and Edrich 154 not out. On the third morning Edrich was bowled by Athol Rowan for 189, and Compton was caught soon after for 208. The 370 occupied 5 hours 35 minutes; according to scorers' notebooks they hit 46 fours and one six in the stand.

England declared at 554/8. South Africa, with Dudley Nourse 61 and Alan Melville 117, were eventually bowled out twice and lost by 10 wickets.

“The talk of London — and the relief of an exhausted country.”

England won the series 3-0. Compton finished 1947 with 3,816 first-class runs and 18 centuries, both still records. Edrich's 3,539 placed him second on the all-time seasonal aggregates list.