I told you, Niko, we HAVE to do this

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Between Tests, Harvey was called in for the match against Northamptonshire, scoring only 14, while Brown was rested as Australia won by an innings.[5][6][40] In the second match before the next Test, which was against Yorkshire, Harvey made 49 and 56 while Brown made 19 and 113 as an opener.[41] Harvey hit the ball to all parts of the ground and Fingleton opined that "[Harvey] probably gained the respect of this most discerning crowd more quickly than any other cricketer in recent years".[42] However, Brown retained his middle-order position for the Second Test at Lord's ahead of Harvey; Australia fielded an unchanged team.[21][22][33][41] O'Reilly criticised the retention of Brown, who had appeared to be noticeably uncomfortable in the unfamiliar role. He said that despite the fact that Brown had made an unbeaten double century on his previous Test at Lord's in 1938, Loxton and Harvey had better claims to selection.[43] Bradman’s men went on to a crushing win by 409 runs, although Brown made only 24 and 32 in the middle order.[22]

The next match was against Surrey and started the day after the Second Test.[6] Brown injured a finger while fielding in the first innings, so he was not able to bat in Australia's first innings,[44] in which Harvey made 43 before being run out.[45] In the second innings, Harvey caught Surrey captain Errol Holmes from a leaping catch, snaffling the ball as it flew through a flock of pigeons.[46] On the final day, Australia wanted to finish the run-chase quickly so they could watch the Australian John Bromwich play in the Wimbledon tennis final. Harvey volunteered to play as a makeshift opener alongside Sam Loxton and promised Bradman that he would reach the target quickly. Australia chased down the 122 runs needed for victory in just 58 minutes to complete a 10-wicket win in just 20.1 overs. Harvey ended unbeaten on 73 and the Australians arrived at Wimbledon in time for the championship-deciding match.[5][6][45][46]

For the following match against Gloucestershire before the Third Test, Brown did not play.[6][47] Harvey came to the crease at 3/304 and put on 164 for the fourth wicket before his partner Morris was out for 294. He put on another 63 with Loxton before falling for 95.[47] During his innings, Harvey repeatedly advanced out of the crease to attack the spinners.[48] Loxton ended on 159 not out as Australia reached 7/774 declared, their highest score of the tour,