English bring ‘bodyline’ bowling to Australia – “it’s a menace” were the cries!

For the 1933 test, Englishman Jardine introduced some of the fiercest tactics that he knew the laws of cricket would allow!

English cricketers left nothing to chance when they came to Australia in 1932.

The blue-collar cricketers set out to recover the Ashes after suffering a humiliating defeat in the 1930 Test series in England.

Nothing but nothing was going to stand in their way – not even the magic bat of Don Bradman.

Bradman’s tremendous success during the 1930 tour had convinced the English selectors that new leadership was needed if the Ashes were to be brought back to England.

When the third test got under way in Adelaide in January, 1933, spectators didn’t realise that they were about to witness one of the most controversial sporting events of the century.

Spearheaded by Douglas Jardine, the English introduced some of the fiercest tactics the laws of cricket would allow.

Their main strategy was the infamous ‘bodyline’ bowling – a constant delivery of short-pitched fast balls which aimed at the batman’s head and shoulders.

Bert Oldfield, “the gentle champion”, felled by a bodyline ball from Larwood.

“The batsman was like a bear in a cage being pelted with stones by naughty children,” writes historian Nic Van Oudtshoorn.

The tactics were not only frightening and difficult for the batsmen but caused injury. To play the ball meant the risk of being caught. Not to play it meant the greater risk of being hit.

The Australian Captain, Bill Woodfull, was felled by a fast ball near the heart. Bert Oldfield had his skull fractured.

Jardine’s terror tactics erupted in a public outcry. There was fighting and riots, and Australian dockworkers boycotted British ships.

“Bodyline bowling is a menace to the game … and unsportsmanlike,” protested Australian cricket official, Mr W.Jeanes.

Harold Larwood and English cricket team.

Captain Douglas Jardine is out, ‘bodyline’ episodes are over!

“Jardine’s retirement is a great loss,” says Neville Cardus. “Australians know my attitude on bodyline – I do not regret one word I have written or said on that subject.

“I oppose bodyline for two reasons.

“Firstly, because it will not go down with the public, who do not want to watch an attack directed at the batsman’s body. Australian crowds are not singular in this respect – the Oval, Old Trafford, and other crowds similarly would resent bodyline.

“Secondly, is that bodyline spoils the beauty of cricket as a spectacle; it is an ugly form of attack. Some pessimists said that bodyline will kill cricket, but cricket, real cricket, has killed bodyline.

“Nevertheless, this does not affect my admiration for Jardine’s cricketing qualities. He was a great skipper before bodyline was known, and he will remain a great skipper when bodyline has been forgotten.

“It is tragic that a captain of Maclaren’s and Jackson’s class should drop out, for Jardine is a captain worthy of the Australians.

“I disagreed with his tactics, but if his retirement was due to those tactics then it merely adds another damning line in bodyline’s epitaph.

Harold Larwood describes himself as “the hangman”.

“I believe Wyatt will succeed Jardine as captain. Valentine is still too young, but Wyatt is Woodfull’s English counterpart. Perhaps both lack genius and inspiration, but they know cricket on and off the field.

“Woodfull’s personality and character have done much to dissolve bitterness, and I believe that the fact that he opposed bodyline greatly influenced the MCC attitude towards it,” said Cardus.

Apart from the obvious choices amongst the players who visited Australia and India, Mr Cardus believes that J. Iddon (Lancashire) may force his way into the Tests.

Cardus declared that the more he studies the Australian team the more he respects its ability.

Bodyline 1932 / 32 Series