 Bodyline , also known as fast leg theory bowling , was a cricketing tactic devised by the English cricket team for their 1932 – 33 Ashes tour of Australia , specifically to combat the extraordinary batting skill of Australia 's Don Bradman . A bodyline delivery was one where the cricket ball was bowled towards the body of the batsman on the line of the leg stump , in the hope of creating leg @-@ side deflections that could be caught by one of several fielders in the quadrant of the field behind square leg . This was considered by many to be intimidatory and physically threatening , to the point of being unfair in a game once supposed to have gentlemanly traditions , although commercialisation of the game had subsequently tended to elevate the principle of " win at all costs " above traditional ideals of sportsmanship . 
 Bodyline , also known as fast leg theory bowling , was a cricketing tactic devised by the English cricket team for their 1932 – 33 Ashes tour of Australia , specifically to combat the extraordinary batting skill of Australia <a href='null_genetive' title='1'><mark>'s</mark></a>Don Bradman . A bodyline delivery was one where the cricket ball was bowled towards the body of the batsman on the line of the leg stump , in the hope of creating leg @-@ side deflections <a href='null_relcl' title='2'><mark>that</mark></a>could be caught by one of several fielders in the quadrant of the field behind square leg . This was considered by many to be intimidatory and physically threatening , to the point of being unfair in a game once supposed to have gentlemanly traditions , although commercialisation of the game <a href='been_done' title='3'><mark>had</mark></a> subsequently tended to elevate the principle of " win at all costs " above traditional ideals of sportsmanship . 
Bodyline , also known as fast leg theory bowling , was a cricketing tactic devised by the English cricket team for their 1932 – 33 Ashes tour of Australia , specifically to combat the extraordinary batting skill of Australia  Don Bradman . A bodyline delivery was one where the cricket ball was bowled towards the body of da batsman on tdaline of the leg stump , in thdaope of creating leg @-@ side deflections could be caught by one of several fielders in thedaadrant of the dald behind square leg . This was considered by many to be intimidatory and physically threatening , to the pdat of being unfair in a game once supposed to have gentlemanly traditions , although commercialisation of the game done subsequently tended to elevate the principle of " win at all costs " above traditional ideals of sportsmanship .