The Bodyline Fix How women saved cricket

by Stell, Marion

• ISBN13: 9780702265785
• ISBN10: 0702265780
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2024-05-29
• Publisher: University of Queensland Press

Summary

Over thirty years ago, historian Marion Stell tracked down the women who played in the inaugural international Test cricket series against England in the summer of 1934– 1935. Their stories and this extraordinary time in Australian sport are told here for the first time. After the contentious ‘ bodyline’ mens’ series in 1932– 1933, sporting relations between Australia and England were at an all-time low. The long traditions built on fair play and sportsmanship had been shattered and controversy raged in the media. At the same time, a group of talented young women were invited to play for their country. Hailing from all classes and backgrounds, these exceptional players defied social and family expectations to pursue the sport they loved, gaining recognition and celebrity in Test series here and abroad. Drawing from rare source material, photos and interviews with the original players, The Bodyline Fix shines a long-overdue light on gender, race and class in 1930s Australia. The impact and legacy of these early sportswomen lives on to inspire current generations.

Author Biography

Dr Marion Stell investigates the social and cultural history of sport. She is the author of a number of popular books, including the groundbreaking Half the Race: A History of Australian Women in Sport; Pam Burridge, a biography of the world champion surfer; Girls in Sport: Swimming; and Girls in Sport: Soccer. She was also co-author of Women in Boots: Football and Feminism in the 1970s. She has been an appointed member of Football Australia’ s Panel of Historians since 2012 and a keynote speaker at Australian and international conferences on the cultural history of sport. Dr Marion Stell investigates the social and cultural history of sport. She is the author of a number of popular books, including the groundbreaking Half the Race: A History of Australian Women in Sport; Pam Burridge, a biography of the world champion surfer; Girls in Sport: Swimming; and Girls in Sport: Soccer. She was also co-author of Women in Boots: Football and Feminism in the 1970s. She has been an appointed member of Football Australia’ s Panel of Historians since 2012 and a keynote speaker at Australian and international conferences on the cultural history of sport.

Table of Contents

Preface ix Introduction: Cars and Corsets xiii Chapter 1 New Cricketers 1 Chapter 2 The Bodyline Series 27 Chapter 3 National Hysteria 47 Chapter 4 The Great Leg Pull 63 Chapter 5 Old Rivalries 83 Chapter 6 The Clothing Divide 103 Chapter 7 Summer Tests, Australia, 1934– 35 119 Chapter 8 Larwood Lingers 157 Chapter 9 Rites of Passage 169 Chapter 10 Colonials Abroad 195 Chapter 11 Summer Tests, England, 1937 211 Chapter 12 Fixed It 229 Acknowledgements 255 Notes 259 Bibliography 275 Index 279