 George Mann captained England in his first series, just as his father had done, when England beat South Africa 2 – 0 in 1948–1949.England won an exciting opening contest at Durban by two wickets, thanks to Cliff Gladwin's famous scurried leg bye.Denis Compton took his only five wicket haul in tests at Cape Town while Hutton and Washbrook posted a record opening stand of 359 at Johannesburg.