Bodyline Autopsy: The Full Story of the Most Sensational Test Cricket Series: Australia vs England 1932-33 by David Frith

Author:David Frith
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781781311936
Publisher: Aurum Press
Published: 2003-08-31T18:30:00+00:00

From a letter Hore-Ruthven wrote to Dominions Minister Thomas after his return to Australia and with the tour now over, the conclusion has to be drawn that, like the majority of people so far away from the scene, even he was still not completely aware of the ocean of feeling that had been stirred up in Australia by Bodyline.

It was typewritten and dated June 21, 1933. Hore-Ruthven remained concerned at the damaged feelings still evident between the two nations. He had observed a “deep sense of injustice” in Australia which sprang from the knowledge that matters had been unfairly represented in England and that MCC continued to display no sign of regret over Bodyline. (How could they, some were asking, without betraying the team they had selected?) But when he returned to Australia the Governor had had his eyes fully opened to the realities. He had spoken to “sound, reasonable men” and found himself “forced to the conclusion that the Australian case had far more justification than one would have been led to suppose at the other side of the world”.

He conceded that leg theory and barracking were separate issues (“how can you control fifty thousand indignant people?”) and that MCC had erred in making Jardine captain while being aware of his “temperament and reputed antipathy towards Australia which had not escaped notice in the previous tour”. Then Hore-Ruthven tabled the growing fear that the 1934 tour might not go ahead. This would widen the breach, and “our prestige as sportsmen will suffer all over the world”.

Hore-Ruthven next unwrapped his plan (to further lubricate Anglo-Australian relations and allow the 1934 tour to proceed) for J.H. Thomas’s consideration: if MCC are not prepared to bend (on the matter of future bowling tactics and any amendment to the laws, which would be seen as a climbdown), then it would be beneficial if the newspapers in England, free of all shackles, would project a fair presentation from both sides: “it would have a very good effect here [Australia] and pave the way to a reception of the Australians if they go to England next year”. He emphasised how restrained the Australian newspapers had been, and their players too. But he deplored the “ill-timed effusions of Jardine and Larwood” after they returned to England and cited a recent headline which stated that Australia had received a “well-deserved snub” from MCC.

Australians, he said, were susceptible to criticism, but they were also susceptible to sympathy and consideration, and all that was probably needed to break the impasse was an indication, “however slight”, that there was some justification for their attitude (which was one of deep resentment, though the Governor was too tactful to say so).

Then he played his ace: “That feeling rankles even to the extent of reluctance to buy English goods, which business men inform me is going on to a certain extent in this city [Adelaide] today.” The UK newspapers could be the “best instrument” to bring about a relaxation of the tension. Then

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