 After leaving Australia in February, they played a three-match Test series in New Zealand.Although regarded as strong in batting, the team had a weakened bowling attack and failed to regain the Ashes despite being the first England team to go 1–0 up in Australia since Gubby Allen in 1936–37.The team included the Reverend David Sheppard (the future Bishop of Liverpool), was managed by the Duke of Norfolk and was accompanied by Ted Dexter's wife Susan, who did some modelling in Australia, all of which created great press interest in the touring team.