The Fast Bowling Phenomenon
Harold Larwood, most famously known as the legendary Harold Larwood, bodyline series. The 1932/33 Ashes series was one of the most infamous cricketing events.
The “Bodyline Series” was played between England and Australia. Here, one of the most influential and well-known strategies was the so-called ‘leg-theory,’ masterminded by Harold Larwood, the fastest bowler in the England cricket team, to curb Australian formidable batsman – Don Bradman.
This strategy included short-pitched bowls with a high pitch, frequently targeting the batsman’s body, with a packed leg-side field.
Though effective in nullifying Bradman, the ploy drew criticism for intimidating the batsman. Bradman, known for his incredible run-scoring, came in very subdued but still averaged relatively well by most standards.
The Fast Bowling Phenomenon
Larwood was said to be very ferocious on the field. Ground staff at Trent Bridge would recall him breaking stumps several times and bowling into length with uncanny precision during practice.
Standing at 5’8″, Larwood was a force with colossal strength, which he acquired working in mines.
Bill Voce, his bowling colleague, complimented him by sending lethal left-arm balls down the rib of the batsman, creating an inescapable challenge for Australian batters.
The series involved dramatic incidents, including the ball hitting Bert Oldfield in Adelaide, further increasing diplomatic tensions between the two nations.
However, Larwood was ostracized by the cricketing fraternity of England because he did not apologize post-series at the behest of Captain Douglas Jardine.
Legacy and Controversy: Larwood’s Post-Bodyline Life
Ironically, in Australia, he retired and lived out his remaining years in peace in Sydney.
His legacy is not forgotten; he is honored with a statue in Kirkby-in-Ashfield, Nottinghamshire, that shows his famous bowling action.
The Bodyline Series remains a defining chapter in cricket, highlighting Harold Larwood’s extraordinary talent and the controversies shaping the sport’s evolution.
Reference: CricInfoESPN
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