Cricket and politics collided with almost devastating consequences for Anglo-Australian relations.
England captain Douglas Jardine took his side into the lion’s den and returned with the Ashes urn after adopting their controversial ‘bodyline’ bowling tactic. Designed mainly to limit the threat posed by Australia’s star batsman Don Bradman, it consisted largely of fast, short-pitched bowling aimed at the batsman’s body with a clutch of fielders on the leg side.
Having seen his wicketkeeper Bert Oldfield knocked unconscious by a ball from England bowler Harold Larwood, Australia captain Bill Woodfull claimed: ‘There are two sides out there. One is playing cricket and one is not.’
Jardine was unmoved by suggestions that his tactics were unsporting, and the visitors won the series 4-1. The incidents, though, prompted a rethink of the Laws as MCC moved to try and stamp out further instances of bodyline bowling. Larwood, meanwhile, was a victim of the diplomacy efforts and never played for England again.
-With New Age input
