the tour started poorly for harvey. in five innings in the first three weeks, he scored only 36 runs at 7.20, and this included a ten-wicket defeat at the hands of laker and lock's surrey. it was australia's first loss to a county side since 1912. harvey began to run into some form after that, scoring 45 against cambridge university before the match against the marylebone cricket club (mcc), which fielded a virtual england test team in what was effectively a dress rehearsal for the tests. harvey made 225 in australia's 413 and the hosts made 9/203 to draw the match. however, he was unable to replicate this form in the tests.