LEG THEORY IN CRICKET.

Press, Volume LXIX, Issue 20862, 23 May 1933, Page 9

LEG THEORY IN CRICKET.

TACTICS ADOPTED BY WEST INDIANS. OUTCRY IN LONDON PRESS. (L'.NITED PrtESB ASSOCIATION"—BT ELECTEIO TELEaRAJ'H—COPYiUGHT.) (Received May 22, 9.30 p.m.) LONDON, May 21. England had its first taste of bodyline bowling, when E. A. Martindale and L. N. Constantine (of the West Indies team) bowled at Lord's against D. R. Jardine's Marylebone Cricket Club team. It was only the merest shadow of the bodyline attack as practised in Australia, as the leg side was not packed, but it caused an immediate outcry in the press. The "Sunday Dispatch" suggests that Jardine may change his views on the bodyline attack if he has to face the two "dark demons" on Monday.

Batsman Struck. The "News-Chronicle" emphasises that it is significant that while the Marylebone Club is debating dangerous bowling, a case should have occurred under its very eyes. It remarks that the Australians' proposal to empower the umpire to noball a dangerous delivery looked very reasonable while Constantine and Martindale were bowling. Both struck Hulme severe blows, and Hulme twice sank to the turf in great pain. Hulme and Hearne escaped serious injury only by persistent ducking. Their strokes mostly represented a desperate effort to protect their heads. The "Sketch," on the contrary, contends that the bowling was fair. Premature "squealing" would make England ridiculous in Australian eyes after the bitter English complaints about Australian "squeals." The West Indies players blame the erratic pitch for the trouble. Martindale said he was not bowling at the batsman's body and did not pitch short. The wicket-keeper, Barrow, said that the bowlers were pitching on the off-stump and breaking.- The batsmen were hit through running into the ball.