Leg theory

Cricketing tactic, devised for the 1932 England tour of Australia specifically to combat the skill of Australia's Don Bradman, and commonly known as "Bodyline". The idea, devised by England's captain, the Oxford educated [Douglas Jardine]?, and executed by working class Nottinghamshire pace bowler [Harold Larwood]?, was simple. First a cordon of close fielders is set on the leg-side and then a fast bowler aims to bowl short pitched deliveries nominally on the line of leg stump but effectively at or into the batsman's head and body. The result is that the batsman must choose to either take evasive action or attempt to fend the ball away with the bat, possibly giving catching chances to the close leg field. Bradman himself countered by moving toward the leg side, away from the line of the ball. Whilst technically incorrect it seemed the best way to cope with the barrage, and the Don averaged over 55 in the series.

Whilst moderately succesful as a tactic (England regained The Ashes), leg theory was rightly abhorred by the Australian crowds as vicious and unsporting. Matters came to a head in the Third Test when Australian captain [Bill Woodfull]? was struck above the heart by Larwood and Bert Oldfield's skull was fractured. Tension and feelings ran so high that the game resulted in a diplomatic incident: at the end of the third day's play the following was sent to Britain by the Australian government:

Bodyline assuming such proportions as to menace the best interests of the game, making protection of the body by the batsmen the main consideration. This is causing intensely bitter feeling between the players as well as injury. In our opinion it is unsportsmanlike. Unless stopped at once it is likely to upset the friendly relations between England and Australia.

Woodfull himself added: "There are two sides out there. One is trying to play cricket, the other is not. The game is too good to be spoilt. It is time some people got out of it"

Following the 1932 tour the [laws of cricket]? were changed, prohibiting the setting of the sort of fields indentified with leg theory. Later law changes, under the heading of "Intimidatory Short Pitched Bowling", also restricted the number of "bouncers" which may be bowled in an over