The
3rd Test will always go down in history as the
most controversial Test matche between England
and Australia, not for the result of the match
but the way in which the result was achieved and
at what cost. Tensions were already strained after
the 2nd test in Melbourne not only amongst the
crowd but within the English camp. Allen refused
to bowl bodyline and Wyatt (England Vice-Captain)
didn’t approve.
It was on the eve of the match at a function that
the first trouble was evident. Nawab of Pataudi
Snr was outside taking a break from the formalities
when Jardine joined him for a smoke, the two being
long-time friends enjoyed each other’s company.
It was at this point that Pataudi offered his
objections to the use of Bodyline and Jardine
was incensed. Jardine told him that he would never
play for England again (he was to be wrong on
that account – however he never played again in
the series and returned home).
During the team talk and team announcement Jardine
offered his place up due to his loss of form with
the bat, however Vice-Captain Wyatt and the whole
team backed him up. Wyatt is reported to have
said, "I’m sure I speak on behalf of everyone
in the team when I say your value as a tactician
far outweighs any temporary loss of form with
the bat". With this Jardine accepted the decision
and announced that Paynter would replace Nawab
of Pataudi Snr (for his debut) and Hedley Verity
replaced Bowes.
Jardine won the toss for the first time in the
series and decided to bat even though Adelaide
had experienced some rain the day before which
had livened up the Oval’s pitch. The only other
team news was on the Australian side, Ponsford
returned at the expense of O’Brien.
It was a very slow and deliberate start to the
match and singles were the story of the first
morning’s session. England struggled throughout
and soon found themselves in deep trouble at 4
for 30 runs. However knocks from Leyland (83),
Wyatt (78) and Paynter (77) made the score respectable
and England ended their first innings on 341.
It was just before England were to take to the
field on the 2nd day of play, that England tour
manager Plum Warner paid a last minute visit to
the England captain in the dressing room. His
aim was to try and persuade Douglas Jardine to
refrain from using Bodyline, by all accounts Jardine
exploded with rage. Jardine hated the word Bodyline
and always maintained that throughout the series
that he was using legitimate leg-theory. His final
words to Plum before donning his harlequins cap
were "We must each follow the dictates of our
conscience". At this point he left to lead England
onto the field.
Australia had a poor start to their reply with
Fingleton falling for a duck, caught behind by
Ames off the bowling of Gubby Allen – the field
at this point was orthodox. The score 1 – 1. A
record crowd of 50,000 then saw Bradman walk to
the wicket in only the 2nd over of the Australian
innings. Bradman facing Allen (final ball of the
over) played the ball down to 3rd man for a single
and he retained the strike. Bradman facing Larwood
scored off the first ball of the over, a shot
played down leg side. It was at this moment that
the nature of the test match would change for
the worse.
Larwood bowling to an orthodox field ran in and
hit Woodfull above the heart with a short
pitched delivery. Woodfull stumbled away from
the crease rubbing his chest in agony. Eventually
he made his way back to the crease and as he was
doing so the now common clap of the hands from
Jardine signalled the change in field to that
of Bodyline. Still under the field of Bodyline
some overs later Bradman popped up a catch to
Gubby Allen at short leg for only 8 runs. On his
way back to the dressing room he said to the Australian
board "Something has to be done about this".
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