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Bodyline
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{{short description|Cricket bowling technique}} {{Use dmy dates|date=October 2019}} {{for multi|the Allied World War II campaign code-named "Bodyline"|Operation Crossbow|the TV series|Bodyline (miniseries)}} [[File:4th Test Woodfull.jpg|thumb|300px|[[Bill Woodfull]] evades a bodyline ball]] {{Don Bradman series}} '''Bodyline''', also known as '''fast leg theory bowling''', was a [[cricket]]ing tactic devised by the [[English cricket team]] for their [[English cricket team in Australia in 1932–33|1932–33 Ashes tour of Australia]]. It was designed to combat the extraordinary [[batting (cricket)|batting]] skill of Australia's leading [[batsman]], [[Donald Bradman|Don Bradman]]. A bodyline delivery was one in which the [[cricket ball]] was [[Bowling (cricket)|bowled]] at pace, aimed at the body of the batsman in the expectation that when he defended himself with his [[cricket bat|bat]], a resulting deflection could be caught by one of several [[fielding (cricket)|fielders]] deliberately placed nearby on the [[leg side]]. At the time, no helmets or other upper-body protective gear was worn, and critics of the tactic considered it intimidating, and physically threatening in a game traditionally supposed to uphold conventions of [[sportsmanship]].<ref> [http://www.umpires.tv/courses/courses_umpiring_descriptions.html Unit 2 – Managing the Match: Management issues and umpiring] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111003154646/http://www.umpires.tv/courses/courses_umpiring_descriptions.html |date=3 October 2011 }}. International Institute of Cricket Umpiring and Scoring. Retrieved 2 September 2018. </ref> The England team's use of the tactic was perceived by some, both in Australia and England, as overly aggressive or even unfair. It caused a controversy that rose to such a level that it threatened diplomatic relations between the two countries before the situation was calmed.<ref name="Frith, pp. 241–59">Frith, pp. 241–59.</ref><ref name="p2601"/> Although no serious injuries arose from any [[Bouncer (cricket)|short-pitched deliveries]] while a [[leg theory]] field was set, the tactic led to considerable ill feeling between the two teams, particularly when Australian batsmen were struck, inflaming spectators. After the introduction of helmets, short-pitched fast bowling, sometimes exceeding {{convert|90|mph|km/h}}, continues to be permitted in cricket, even when aimed at the batsman, and is considered to be a legitimate bowling tactic when used sparingly. Over time, several [[Laws of Cricket]] were changed to render the bodyline tactic less effective—and increase player safety—such as a legside field restriction, concussion breaks and inspections.
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