harvey started the tour well and was highly productive in seven first-class matches leading into the tests. he scored 100 and 145 not out against north eastern transvaal and orange free state. there were two matches against a south african xi that were effectively dress rehearsals for the tests. in the first, harvey made 34 in an innings victory. he then made an even 100 in the second match, a week before the first test. he had scored 480 runs at 60.00 in the matches leading up to the tests.