# Bodyline

Bodyline, also known as fast leg theory bowling, was a controversial tactic of bowling in cricket, devised by the English cricket team to counter the batting skills of Australian batsman Don Bradman during the 1932—33 Ashes series, played in Australia.

## Quotes

* England must develop a new type of bowler and fresh ideas and strange tactics to curb his almost uncanny skill.
** Pelham "Plum" Warner, "Dismissal of Hobbs - English critics Views," Sydney Morning Herald 15 July 1930
** Writing after Bradman scored 334 against England at Leeds in 1930.
* You fellas have no idea what sort of summer this is going to be.
** Don Bradman, "How Douglas Jardine's Scottish heritage influenced his England cricket captaincy," The Guardian 29 May 2015
** Bradman's warnings to his colleagues after facing fast leg theory in Perth
* Well, I'll be fooked.
** Bill Bowes, "Bodyline Quotes," ESPN Cric Info 19 October 2007
** Said after bowling Bradman first ball during the Bodyline series.
* Well bowled, Harold!
** Douglas Jardine, "Bodyline Quotes," ESPN Cric Info 19 October 2007
** Said loudly to Harold Larwood, after a short ball by the latter hit Woodfull in the chest over the heart.
* It was the most unsportsmanlike act ever witnessed on an Australian cricket field.
** Bill Johnson, "Bodyline Quotes," ESPN Cric Info 19 October 2007
** Johnson was an Australian selector and said this on Jardine's decision to set a bodyline field shortly after Woodfull's injury.
* I don't want to see you Mr. Warner. There are two teams out there; one is trying to play cricket and the other is not. The matter is in your hands, Mr. Warner, and I have nothing further to say to you. Good afternoon.
** Bill Woodfull, "Bodyline Quotes," ESPN Cric Info 19 October 2007
** Said to Pelham Warner, during the Adelaide Test. The latter had come to the Australian dressing room to check if Woodfull was well after being struck.
* The game is too good to be spoilt. It's time some people got out of it.
** Bill Woodfull, "Rewind to 1933: A near riot at Adelaide Oval," ESPN Cric Info 6 December 2013
** Also said to Warner in the above conversation and reported later.
* If legislation is responsible for the eradication of leg theory, cricket will have become an invalid and will be likened to a man with one leg, able to satisfy up to a point, but unable to attain the supreme heights of action and definitely unable to satisfy the cricket soul.
** Archie Jackson, "LEAVE IT TO CRICKETERS. Archie Jackson's Views." Townsville Bulletin 1 February 1933
* Body-line was not an incident, it was not an accident, it was not a temporary aberration. It was the violence and ferocity of our age expressing itself in cricket.
** C. L. R. James, "Beyond a Boundary (1966)," Page 188

## References

* ↑ "Bradman's Uncanny Skill". The Sydney Morning Herald (28869): p. 9. Retrieved on 1 March 2022.
* ↑ Massie, Alex (29 May 2015). How Douglas Jardine's Scottish heritage influenced his England cricket captaincy. The Guardian. Retrieved on 1 March 2022.
* 1 2 3 4 5 6 Williamson, Martin (19 October 2007). Bodyline quotes. ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved on 1 March 2022.
* 1 2 3 Williamson, Martin (6 December 2013). Rewind to 1933: A near riot at Adelaide Oval. ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved on 2 March 2022.
* ↑ Jackson, Archie (1 February 1933). "LEAVE IT TO CRICKETERS. Archie Jackson's Views.". The Townsville Daily Bulletin 55 (27): p. 7. Retrieved on 1 March 2022.
* ↑ James, C. L. R.. Beyond a Boundary (50th Anniversary ed.). Duke University Press. p. 188.