5 biggest controversies in English cricket

#1 Bodyline

England bowling to a packed leg-side field.

This is not only the biggest controversy in English cricket but perhaps one of the biggest controversies in cricket history and it is still regarded as a blot on the game. In the 1930 Ashes series in England, Sir Donald Bradman had made a mockery of the home side’s bowling attack by plundering 974 runs in 5 Tests. So, when the 1932 Ashes in Australia came along, England captain Douglas Jardine decided that he had to take recourse to extreme measures if the urn was to be regained.

The ploy was simple, brutal and controversial. Additionally, it had the blessings of the Marylebone Cricket Club. England were going to use their pair of lightning-quick bowlers in Harold Larwood and Bill Voce to bowl at the body of the Australian batsmen, while packing the leg-side field so as to catch anything that went up in the air. It came to be known as ‘Bodyline’ and the series is often called the ‘Bodyline Series’.

The plan was wildly successful as Australia was pummeled into submission and Bradman’s averaged dropped. England won the series 4-1 but the series sparked tensions between the two nations that eventually led to diplomatic tensions and the unsporting nature of the triumph has forever consigned it to infamy. Additionally, Australia’s refusal to retaliate with similar tactics made Jardine and England’s look particularly unsporting.