harvey's triple figure average from his first two test seasons could not be maintained when australia hosted the 1950–51 ashes series. following his success in south africa, harvey played regularly at either the no. 3 or no. 4 from that point onwards. he managed 362 runs at 40.22 with three half centuries as australia took the series 4–1. harvey had trouble with alec bedser's in-swingers in the early part of the series and bedser was the only englishman to dismiss harvey in the first three tests. on the first day of the series, harvey top-scored with 74 out of australia's 228. it turned out to be crucial as rain created a sticky wicket; england made 7/68 and australia 7/32, both declared. australia went on to win by 70 runs. the second test in melbourne was also low scoring; harvey made 42 and 31 as australia won after neither team passed 200. he performed steadily through the series, with 39, 43 and 68 in the next two tests, which were both won. he then made one and 52 in the fifth test defeat; it was the first in his 14 tests and australia's first since world war ii and came on his home ground in melbourne. outside the tests, harvey scored 141 in a win over south australia and then added 146 in the second innings of a match against new south wales to stave off defeat. he ended the season with 1099 runs at 45.79.