no international matches were scheduled for the 1948–49 australian season, and harvey had a disappointing first-class season, scoring only 539 runs at 33.68. he scored 72 and 75 in victoria's totals of 165 and 197 as they lost to arch-rivals new south wales by 88 runs, but his only other score beyond 50 was an 87 for lindsay hassett's xi in a test trial at the end of the season. nevertheless, the selectors persisted with him for the 1949–50 tour of south africa.