Heroes & Villains, the Aston Villa fanzine

Off Topic => Sports Arena => Topic started by: Legion on January 16, 2013, 07:29:02 PM

Title: Bodyline
Post by: Legion on January 16, 2013, 07:29:02 PM
I don't want to see you, Mr Warner. There are two teams out there. One is trying to play cricket and the other is not. (http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-nottinghamshire-21013615)

I find this absolutely fascinating. Anyone know where I can obtain the 5-part BBC series shown many years ago?
Title: Re: Bodyline
Post by: bob rowe on January 16, 2013, 07:38:03 PM
Some of the episodes are on U Tube.
Title: Re: Bodyline
Post by: Andy_Lochhead_in_the_air on January 16, 2013, 07:41:23 PM
Douglas Jardine is not given the recognition he deserves. He was a great captain and a winner.
Title: Re: Bodyline
Post by: tomd2103 on January 16, 2013, 07:45:22 PM
Douglas Jardine is not given the recognition he deserves. He was a great captain and a winner.

True Andy, but the way that Harold Larwood was hung out to dry after that series was one of the most shameful episodes in English sport.
Title: Re: Bodyline
Post by: He wears a magic hat on January 16, 2013, 08:31:05 PM
Ive been trying for years. u can get them on ebay but it is australian dvd and u need a multi region player i think.

but i have just watched all 6 episodes on u tube. superb
Title: Re: Bodyline
Post by: Rudy Can't Fail on January 16, 2013, 08:45:44 PM
I have next to no interest in cricket but read the Harold Larwood biography.I can't recommend it highly enough.

The Aussies hated him and with reason, he was English and bloody brilliant.
Title: Re: Bodyline
Post by: leylandalbion on January 16, 2013, 10:59:41 PM
Remember from my childhood!  excellent series...surely the beeb will repeat with back 2 back ashes coming up?   just remember the keeper with steaks in his glove  :)
Title: Re: Bodyline
Post by: Jon Crofts on January 16, 2013, 11:26:32 PM
Anything that annoys the convicts should be positively encouraged and rewarded.
Title: Re: Bodyline
Post by: tricky59 on January 17, 2013, 08:31:07 AM
On the subject of Jardine, it appeared he was quite happy to face bodyline bowling.  Read the Wisden report of the Manchester test the summer following the bodyline series. 

http://www.espncricinfo.com/wisdenalmanack/content/story/151776.html
Title: Re: Bodyline
Post by: Kingthing on January 17, 2013, 08:33:03 AM

Watching Bodyline as a kid got me into Cricket, I loved it, I used to pretend to be Harold Larwood. Funnily enough He emigrated to Australia in 1950.
Title: Re: Bodyline
Post by: paul_e on January 17, 2013, 09:54:34 AM
I feel sorry for Larwood, he just came 60-70 years too soon, nowadays he'd be revered as one of the top bowlers in the world, watching this does make you realise why they have all the protective gear now though, imagine facing the west indies from the 80s in the kit they were wearing back in the bodyline tour.

It's also interesting to see the changes that this caused to the way batsmen prepare as well, at the time it was pretty uncommon to be strong on the leg side, now it's almost a requirement at international level.  In that regard this is probably as big a moment in the development of the sport as anything that has ever happened.
Title: Re: Bodyline
Post by: OzVilla on January 17, 2013, 10:18:04 AM
Ah Bodyline, sports longest running whinge.

And they have the front to accuse us of being moaners. 
Title: Re: Bodyline
Post by: rob_bridge on January 17, 2013, 01:01:24 PM
Very good series on the beeb was that only able to get patches of it on Youtube.

Larwood was treated disgracefully and took over 60 years to get his MBE.
Title: Re: Bodyline
Post by: PeterWithesShin on January 17, 2013, 05:37:29 PM
I watched it on TV years ago, must have been midish 80's. Even though i'm not much of a cricket fan I did enjoy it. Can only remember bits of it though, someone (Larwood?) bowling at bins as a kid.
Title: Re: Bodyline
Post by: Rudy Can't Fail on January 17, 2013, 07:28:27 PM
Just found the book, 'Harold Larwood' by Duncan Hamilton.

It won the William Hill 2009 Sports Book of the Year and rightly so.
Not only a great cricket book but a brilliant insight into the social history in the UK.
Title: Re: Bodyline
Post by: JD on January 18, 2013, 06:15:26 AM
Aussies complaining  :D. Aren't they the country that bowled underarm against New Zealand because they didn't want to lose a one day international?
Title: Re: Bodyline
Post by: peter w on January 18, 2013, 06:41:54 AM
Between metal bats, underarm bowling, and sledging I'm sure its safe to say that the Aussie's are the guardians of the etiquette of the game.
Title: Re: Bodyline
Post by: The Left Side on January 18, 2013, 09:41:09 PM
IT was a great series, Elrond from LOTR was Jardine I think
Title: Re: Bodyline
Post by: jcsutv on January 18, 2013, 09:43:10 PM
Wasn't that the Matrix?
Title: Re: Bodyline
Post by: tomd2103 on January 20, 2013, 05:14:30 PM
Just found the book, 'Harold Larwood' by Duncan Hamilton.

It won the William Hill 2009 Sports Book of the Year and rightly so.
Not only a great cricket book but a brilliant insight into the social history in the UK.

His book on Brian Clough called "Provided You Don't Kiss Me" is also very good.  Doesn't shy away from recounting the darker sides of Clough like others do. 
Title: Re: Bodyline
Post by: cdbearsfan on January 20, 2013, 05:27:36 PM
Is this what you're after Legion?











For some reason episode 6 is split into two...





and finally...

Title: Re: Bodyline
Post by: Legion on January 20, 2013, 05:30:39 PM
Yes! Thank you very much indeed.
Title: Re: Bodyline
Post by: exiled on the wirral! on January 21, 2013, 08:44:02 PM
I would also recommend, Bodyline, The Autopsy by David Frith..the definitive Bodyline book and my favourite sports book, a comprehensive discription of the tour in full and what happened to the players afterwards, fascinating read.
Title: Re: Bodyline
Post by: Legion on January 21, 2013, 08:45:22 PM
I'll look into that. Thank you.
Title: Re: Bodyline
Post by: exiled on the wirral! on January 21, 2013, 08:50:35 PM
Douglas Jardine is not given the recognition he deserves. He was a great captain and a winner.

True Andy, but the way that Harold Larwood was hung out to dry after that series was one of the most shameful episodes in English sport.
Totally agree, I think a reason for that was Larwoods background, cricket back then was largely elitest, and many of the players on that tour came from priviledged backgrounds whilst Larwood was very much from a miners background. A true English hero who should never be forgotten.
Title: Re: Bodyline
Post by: PGW on January 21, 2013, 09:00:24 PM
Exiled - i will bow to your judgement on the Frith book - just bought it - need some reading matter for my forthcoming holiday ....when unfortunately i will miss game at Goodison.

Bodyline has always been something i felt i should get to know more in depth detail about. I hope this book does the trick!!! Cheers
Title: Re: Bodyline
Post by: exiled on the wirral! on January 21, 2013, 09:10:38 PM
Hope you enjoy it PGW, its a book I dont tire of re-reading, enjoy your hols!
Title: Re: Bodyline
Post by: The Left Side on January 22, 2013, 02:34:07 PM
Oooh looking forward to watching those when I get chance
Title: Re: Bodyline
Post by: Bald Eagle on January 29, 2013, 11:19:11 AM
Another book worth reading is " Gubby Allen Man of cricket " . This book gives you the Toffee- nosed English version as Allen was the only English fast bowler who refused to bowl body-line. Allen gives a daily diary of events during all 5 tests. A good read which shows the class system at its worst.
Title: Re: Bodyline
Post by: el león Benidorm on March 28, 2013, 04:10:36 PM
It was a good series, however as it was produced by the colonials, the only thing Jardine & Larwood were missing were horns and masks.
What it does reflect is the class system and the old 'Gentlemen & Players' regime.
Players got paid to play, Gentleman did it free, as a hobby - although their expense claims would make an MP wince. The Gentleman commanded respect and opinions of the players were overelooked as second class citizens.
The annoying thing about the mini-series is that it shows all Australians as good old bloke with a sense of fair play.  Even the old soak of a sports hack Chook!
Much is played of Jardines middle class upbringing and the stiff upper lip English, a trait the vocal and passionate salt of the earth Aussies would never have.
No doubt if the roles had been reversed we would be whining still, 80 years on.
The biggest whinge is that the colonials never thought of the thery first. Shame they never kept that when bowling underarm or sledging opposition players!
Roll on the Ashes
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