5 England players hated by the Australians

Douglas Jardine

Douglas Jardine

In the last 135 years of the Ashes series, the most controversial was the Bodyline series of 1932-33. England captain Douglas Jardine ordered his fast bowlers to bowl straight at the bodies of the Australian batsmen.

Bodyline, which was the most questionable and dangerous tactic ever used on the cricket field, made Jardine a universal villain of cricket.

In his quest for the Ashes urn, Jardine played with the physical safety and lives of batsmen.

He believed that Donald Bradman, with a staggering average of 139.14, struggled against high-bouncing deliveries aimed at his chest.

Bradman missed the first Test amid speculation of a nervous breakdown as England won the series 4-1. His batting average in the series was 56.