Cricket Crisis: Bodyline and Other Lines

by Jack Fingleton

Jack Fingleton is one of Australian cricket's most important and intriguing characters. He was an outstanding opening batsman with a reputation for fearlessness against the most hostile and dangerous opening attacks. He faced up to England's feared Bodyline bowlers, and became the first batsman in history to score four successive Test centuries. Fingleton led a varied and at times turbulent life, and over several decades he was involved in an on-again, off-again feud with one-time teammate Sir Donald Bradman.

Genres: Sports, Nonfiction

336 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1946

Reviews

[Martin Williamson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have read hundreds of cricket books over the years and this is one of the best. And always excellent writer, Fingleton gives a unique insight into the endurance required when undertaking a five month tour back in the 1930s. The Increasing drudgery of the trip and monotony of what the players asked to do really comes through. He also gives insight into many of the cricketers of the day. I cannot recommend this highly enough to anyone interested in the game between the wars.

[Rajit · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jack Fingleton was both a top class cricketer and an outstanding journalist. The fact he opened the batting against the bodyline attack makes this the definitive book on the subject. His portraits of some of the outstanding players on the '30s adds to the experience.

[Barry Lacey · Rating 3 out of 5]

An okay book mainly about the Bodyline series but also a few other issues in cricket in the 1930’s and World War 2 period. Better written than his autobiography I read earlier this year but still not in a style I like and still remain disappointed with both books considering authors reputation. The bias against Bradman isn’t too bad in this book which is good and he does mention his view of the famous leak from the dressing room in the Bodyline series. It is a good view of the Bodyline series from someone who faced it and doesn’t justify it in anyway or defend Jardine.

[David · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reading this hard on the heels of 'Fingo's' autobiography, it is easy to see why this is the best account of bodyline. The analysis is excellent, coming from the opener for Australia who stood there and took it from Larwood. The portaits of Bradman, Jardine, Larwood, Warner are unsurpassed and nobody reading this could fail to be struck by the pathos and also the occasional humour of this sporting controversy.

[Robin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lots of unique insights from someone who faced Bodyline...but a bit jumbled thematically and chronologically.

[Peter Langston · Rating 5 out of 5]

First published in 1946 (I read a 1947 edition), the focus of the book is the Bodyline tour by England in 1932-33. It indeed occupies the first half of the book but references to it are sprinkled through the second half as well. Fingleton's candour dropped him into controversy throughout both his playing and writing career and this book was one of the chief reasons for his opponents' attacks. Not surprisingly, given his robust criticisms of the demigod Bradman, the former captain was the most upset by this volume. Fingleton questioned Bradman's ability and fortitude against the short, fast bowling of England during that summer and backs his assertions with other incidents when he struggled against that form of attack. His claim that Bradman ran whilst others stood and took it stirred a hornets nest but the evidence he presented to defend himself against the claim made by Bradman that he leaked the famous Woodfull line to the press is not only refuted here but played straight back at Bradman. The second half delivers player portraits and descriptions of other matches he both played in and observed. All is penned in his wonderful prose which stands through time. With a foreword by Sir Neville Cardus and the observations of a man who still holds the record for the most consecutive Test 100's (5 in 5 innings), his legendary toughness and durability shine through in his writing. This is probably the best book written about cricket by an Australian author and set a standard which others such as Gideon Haigh have measured up to but never surpassed. Essential reading for a balanced view of Bradman's impact on Australian cricket and society.