Few bowlers throughout history earned themselves such an intimidating reputation as Harold Larwood. A spell spent working in the coalmines of Nottinghamshire granted him formidable powers of strength and stamina, whilst his stature, he stood just 5’8” in his socks, meant that his horrible, lightning-quick bouncer homed in on the batsman’s ribs and jaw. A hard, intensely loyal man, he was a captain’s dream, prepared to bend his back on unresponsive pitches and bowl all day, so long as there was a beer and a cigarette to hand at the interval.
He was Douglas Jardine’s weapon of choice during the infamous Bodyline tour, utilised relentlessly and instructed to bowl through a painful foot injury at the SCG because Don Bradman, the principal target behind the ‘leg theory’ strategy, was still at the crease. The hostile, short-pitched barrage Larwood and Bill Voce, his partner-in-crime for Notts and England, subjected the Australians to was so potent that a diplomatic incident ensued.
Larwood, simply by doing what he had been told to do by his famously provocative captain, was made a scapegoat for the sake of the Empire. He never played for England again, a fate that tellingly did not befall Jardine ➖ perfect evidence that there is one rule for bowlers and another for batsmen.
Injuries gradually took their toll and Larwood retired from first-class cricket in 1938. He immigrated to Sydney in 1950 and, to his immense surprise, was welcomed with open arms by a nation who recognised a steely, honest competitor when they saw one. It’s a shame the English hierarchy of the time could not say the same.
