BODY-LINE BOWLING

Dominion, Volume 27, Issue 16, 13 October 1933, Page 9

BODY-LINE BOWLING

Larwood Talks Again

“HAS BEEN LET DOWN”

London, October 11. Larwood told the “Daily Expt ess that the M.C.C.’s cable to the Australian Board of Control was good except that it was not definite about the leg-theory. “If lam picked for the tests,” he said, “I shall bowl leg-theory when the wicket is suitable, unless expressily, ordered not to do so, and I do not think the M.C.C. will order me or anyone else not to bowl with a packed leg-trap. “I see Bradman is reported to have said that the cables mean that he will not encounter body-line bowling in the future. All I can say is that if Bradman comes here in. 1934 he may be surprised. I do not think the M.C.C. rules out leg-theory.” Interviewed at Annesley to-day, Larwood said: “If I am selected for England and the M.C.C. instructs me not to bowl fast leg-theory I shall refuse to play. There has been far too much bad blood about the whole business. While glad it is now happily settled, I cannot help feeling that I have been let down. My conscience is as clear •to-day as when I left Australia.”

Larwood added: “Unless I have another operation shortly, I shall never be able to bowl again. My foot hurts acutely after any long walk. It is no better than when I first hurt it in Australia.”

BITTER CRITICISM

Larwood’s Comments

AUSTRALIAN VIEWS

(Received October 13, 12.10 p.m.). Sydney, October 12.

The newspapers in the various States have returned ■to the bodyline controversy, publishing the bitter criticism of Larwood, whose comments are the subject of editorials and condemnation by certain members of the Board of Control, officials of inter-state cricket associations, and former international players.

Although there is some insistance upon a guarantee from the M.C.C. that no bodyline bowling will be allowed, it is regarded as unlikely that the Board of Control will intervene to disturb the arrangements for the forthcoming tour. Mr. Jeanes, secretary of the Board of Control, in fact, declares that there will be no further meeting of the board until February 1, when the Australian team will be selected. W. M. Woodfull has accepted an invitation to become one of the selectors.

The popular impression is that the M.C.C. will discourage the form of bowling to which Australia objects, in spite of Larwood.