The series best known for Bodyline actually began in uncontroversial circumstances, in part because the main protagonist that the tactic was designed to combat, Don Bradman, missed the match over a conflict with the Australian board over his eligibility to write his columns.
In his absence in Sydney, Australia won the toss, batted, and made 360 in their first innings. Stan McCabe made an unbeaten 187 – the first of his three innings that are among the greatest of all time.
However, in a sign of what was to come, Harold Larwood took 5-96. He would take many more wickets before the tour as over. In reply England made 524, Herbert Sutcliffe leading the way with 194.
Australia were all out for 164 second time round, with Larwood claiming 5-26 this time. England needed just a single to win by 10 wickets.
Bradman was back for the second test in Melbourne, not that it immediately made any difference in Australia’s first innings, as he was bowled first ball by Bill Bowes as he failed to read the deceptive change in length and pace. However, Jack Fingleton’s 83 helped them reach 228.
Despite 52 from Sutcliffe, Australia were then able to bowl out England for 169, Bill O’Reilly taking 5-63.
Bradman found his form in the second innings, making an unbeaten 103 out of a total of 191. Chasing 251, England but slipped to a 111-run defeat as O’Reilly took 5-66.
It was at Adelaide in the third Test that England really unleashed Bodyline on their opponents. Winning the toss and batting first, they made 341, Maurice Leyland top-scoring for them with 83.
And then Larwood in particular began to bowl short and very fast on the line of leg stump with an arc of six to eight close-in fielders on the leg side. Bradman fell for just 5, but the main victim were captain Bill Woodfull and wicketkeeper Bert Oldfield.
Curiously, none was hit by a bouncer. Woodfull was hit just above his heart, while Oldfield ducked and top-edged one that fractured his skull, both off Larwood. Bill Ponsford made 85, but Australia were dismissed for 222.
England then made 412 in their second innings, Wally Hammond scoring 85 and Les Ames making 69. The English assault continued in the Australian second innings. Woodfull recovered to score an unbeaten 73 and Bradman got 66, but Australia were all out for 193, losing in the end by 338 runs.
The bad feeling between the two sides was still palpable as they resumed hostilities at Brisbane for the fourth Test, where Australia won the toss and batted first.
Vic Richardson (83) and Woodfull (67) shared an opening stand of 133, while Bradman made 76, but England hit back to bowl Australia out for 340. They then matched Australia by making 356, Sutcliffe making 86 and Eddie Paynter 83. Down with tonsillitis, Paynter ignored medical instructions and left the hospital and got his runs in excruciating heat before returning to the hospital in the afternoon.
Australia were then dismissed for 175, leaving England 160 runs to win. They lost four wickets in their run chase, but 86 from Leyland helped them to a six-wicket win.
The series concluded in Sydney, where it had begun. Australia won the toss and batted strongly in their first innings, Len Darling leading the way with 85, well supported by Len O’Brien with 61, and 73 from McCabe.
But England responded well, making 454 in reply, Wally Hammond with 101 and Larwood, in the unfamiliar role of night watchman, with 98.
Woodfull made 67 and Bradman 71, but Australia lost their last eight second innings wickets for just 47, as they were bowled out for 182, Hedley Verity with 5-33. This was the last time Larwood took field in Test cricket as he broke down with a stress fracture, and limped out of the ground along with Bradman, who had just been dismissed.
England needed 164 to win and an unbeaten stand of 125 between Bob Wyatt, 61 not out, and Hammond, 75 not out, saw them to an eight-wicket victory.
England had won the series by four matches to one.