The Ashes of 1932-33 or more popularly known as the ‘Bodyline Series’ is probably a mixture of the most memorable and the most controversial event in the history of world cricket, not only because of the action that took place during the enthralling series but also the legendary names associated with it, including the unstoppable force such as Sir Donald Bradman, the genius mastermind and England captain Douglas Jardine, and lastly the man who actually executed the plan with his ‘super’ pace, Harold Larwood.
Harold Larwood’s name still echoes around the Trent Bridge Cricket Ground, just not as much as the sound of the stumps when he smashed them while clean bowling players, probably the reason why the ground staff had to stack up more sets of stumps while Larwood was bowling. Although Larwood was more of modest proportions, at 5’8” he still had broad shoulders, biceps and chests due to his past profession as a miner. One can only imagine the pace coming from that swing of an arm which used to crack open rocks! So accurate was his bowling that he could hit a little handkerchief out on the pitch five out of six times at complete pace, and the threat of his balls was so intimidating that the wicketkeeper would rather stand close to the boundary line than the stumps.
During the Bodyline series, accompanied by bowling partner and good friend Bill Voce, Larwood proved to be so lethal that it drew incredible criticism for the style of bowling. Apart from the fact that earlier similar practices had been put to use by the two Australians McDonald and Gregory in 1921, that too against England, the only reason Bodyline existed was due to Donald Bradman. At the time, Bradman was no less than a run scoring machine and containing him was of utmost priority for the English team. Though he still averaged the best among other batsmen and against other bowlers, Larwood’s quickness in the bowing accompanied by the new technique succeeded in limiting him to rather lower standards.
Larwood was prominent in blowing Bodyline out of proportion just because he was the most effective with it. Australians were practically helpless against that fury of his ball. Bill Voce posed enough threat with the technique. His height and left-handed course brought the ball into the batsman’s ribs and the two paired-up to form an unstoppable force, and ‘no mercy’ was the outcome.
Following the series, Douglas Jardine and Harold Larwood were tagged the main culprits. The two didn’t seem to see eye-to-eye with the MCC, which instead asked Larwood to publicly apologize. Larwood, however, refused to do anything of that sort stating, ‘I’m an Englishman, I never apologise’. On the other hand, the Australian crowd didn’t seem to have a similar opinion.
People still talk about Harold Larwood and his fast ball. Even in today’s age with many pace bowlers turning up, the ground staff at Trent Bridge claim that ‘none’ of them come even close to Larwood’s pace. Guess there’s a reason to believe so!