With the end of the Second World War's European theatre in early May, it was possible to organise eleven first-class cricket matches, the first to be played in England since 1939, though none were part of any official competition.
An Australian Services XI, which included Keith Miller, Lindsay Hassett and Cec Pepper, played five "Victory Tests" against England, plus a further game against Leveson-Gower's XI. England also played a Dominions team at Lord's. A New Zealand Services XI, including Martin Donnelly, played against Leveson-Gower's XI.
Yorkshire hosted Lancashire at Bradford Park Avenue in a memorial match for Hedley Verity, who was killed in action two years earlier. The other two matches were Yorkshire against a very useful Royal Air Force XI at North Marine Road; and over-33s against under-33s at Lord's.