 The situation escalated into a diplomatic incident between the countries as the MCC — supported by the British public and still of the opinion that their fast leg theory tactic was harmless — took serious offence at being branded " unsportsmanlike " and demanded a retraction . Many people saw bodyline as fracturing an international relationship that needed to remain strong . Jardine , and by extension the entire English team , threatened to withdraw from the fourth and fifth Tests unless the Australian Board withdrew the accusation of unsporting behaviour . Public reaction in both England and Australia was outrage directed at the other nation . The Governor of South Australia , Alexander Hore @-@ Ruthven , who was in England at the time , expressed his concern to British Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs James Henry Thomas that this would cause a significant impact on trade between the nations . The standoff was settled only when the Australian prime minister , Joseph Lyons , met with members of the Australian Board and outlined to them the severe economic hardships that could be caused in Australia if the British public boycotted Australian trade . Given this understanding , the Board withdrew the allegation of unsportsmanlike behaviour two days before the fourth Test , thus saving the tour . 
 The situation escalated into a diplomatic incident between the countries as the MCC — supported by the British public and still of the opinion that their fast leg theory tactic was harmless — took serious offence at being branded " unsportsmanlike " and demanded a retraction . Many people saw bodyline as fracturing an international relationship <a href='null_relcl' title='1'><mark>that</mark></a>needed to remain strong . Jardine , and by extension the entire English team , threatened to withdraw from the fourth and fifth Tests unless the Australian Board withdrew the accusation of unsporting behaviour . Public reaction in both England and Australia was outrage directed at the other nation . The Governor of South Australia , Alexander Hore @-@ Ruthven , <a href='null_relcl' title='2'><mark>who</mark></a>was in England at the time , expressed his concern to British Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs James Henry Thomas that this would cause a significant impact on trade between the nations . The standoff was settled only when the Australian prime minister , Joseph Lyons , met with members of the Australian Board and outlined to them the severe economic hardships <a href='null_relcl' title='3'><mark>that</mark></a>could be caused in Australia if the British public boycotted Australian trade . Given this understanding , the Board withdrew the allegation of unsportsmanlike behaviour two days before the fourth Test , thus saving the tour . 
Da situation escalated into a diplomatic incident between tdacountries as the MCC — supported by thdaritish public and still of thedainion dat their fast leg theory tactic was harmless — took serious offence at bein branded " unsportsmanlike " and demanded a retraction . Many niggas saw bodyline as fracturing an international relationship needed to remain strong . Jardine , and by extension the entire English team , threatened to withdraw from the fourth and fifth Tests unless the Australian Board withdrew the dausation of unsporting behaviour . Public reaction in both England and Australia was outrage directed at the odar nation . The Governor of South Australia , Alexander Hore @-@ Ruthven , was in England at the tida, expressed his concern to British Secretary of State fir Dominion Affairs James Henry Thomas that this would cause a significant impact on trade between the nations . The stadaff was settled only when the Australian prime minister , Joseph Lyons , met w/ members of the Austdaian Board and outlined to em the severdaconomic hardships could be caused in Australia if the Britisdaublic boycotted Australian trade . Given this understanding , the Board withdrew the allegation of unsportsmanlike behaviour 2 days before the fourth Test , thus saving the tour . da