The Bodyline Cricket Series

Background of the Bodyline Test Cricket Series

December 2, 1932 saw the start of arguably the most discussed test cricket series in the history of test cricket. MCC team led by Douglas Jardine, toured Austraia to fight for the ashes which they
lost in 1930. In 1930 Donald Bradman had scored, 254 at lords, 309 in a single day at Leeds on the way to 334, and 232 in the final test and ended the series with 974 runs at an amazing average of 139.14 giving Australia a series win. If England were to regain the Ashes they had to stop Bradman. Not many people would have guessed what length they would go to achieve that.

England resorted to the so-called leg theory or bodyline as it was later known, where they positioned all fielders on the leg side and bowled at the batsmen's head. At an age where no one used protective gear this made it almost impossible to bat without getting hurt.

First Test Cricket Match (Sydney)
At the absence of Bradman, McCabe scored 187 not out in the first innings fearlessly attacking balls heading toward his head, but England won by 10 wickets.
Scoreboard

Second Test Cricket Match (Melbourne)
Bradman returned and is bowled for a duck with the first ball. In the second innings, Bradman hits the first ball for a four and starts attacking. He scores an unbeaten 103 and Australia wins the test by 111 runs. Has Bradman tamed bodyline?
Scoreboard

Third Test Cricket Match (Adelaide)
The third test cricket match turned out to be the most infamous of them all. Australian captain Woodfull gets struck on the chest and W.A.S. Oldfield fractures his skull. England goes on to win by 338 runs.
Scoreboard

Fourth Test Cricket Match (Brisbane)
England wins by 6 wickets.
Scoreboard

Fifth Test Cricket Match (Sydney)
England wins by 8 wickets.
Scoreboard

England wins the series 4-1 and Bradman ends up with a (poor) average of 56 for the series.

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