Douglas Jardine

DOUGLAS JARDINE d1958. English cricketer best known for being the captain of the England cricket team that toured Australia in the 1932-33 Ashes "Bodyline" series. The tactic of using Harold Larwoods pace-bowling "Bodyline" was designed to get out the legendary Australian batsman Don Bradman, but was considered by many to be intimidatory and physically threatening. He is widely regarded by commentators and writers as the person responsible for the English strategy on that tour ; however the tactics helped England to win this Ashes series 4-1 overseas. A controversial figure among cricketers, Jardine was well known for his dislike of Australian players and crowds and was unpopular in Australia, particularly for his manner. He Captained England between 1931-34 (15 matches / 9 wins / 5 draws / 1 loss) ; altogether he played 22 Test Matches scoring 1296 runs at an average of 48. His First Class career bought him 14848 runs at an average of 46. After the war, he worked as a secretary to a paper manufacturer and returned to journalism. While on a business trip in 1957, he became ill with what proved to be lung cancer and died aged 57 in 1958.