LEGENDWALLS
Larwood's exceptional pace and accuracy made him both England's Ashes weapon and cricket's most controversial fast bowler.

HAROLDLARWOOD

Right-arm fast bowler

Unofficial fan tribute — not affiliated with Harold Larwood, their representatives, clubs, leagues, federations, or sponsors.

Discover the story
Harold Larwood in an openly licensed archive image
ENGLANDTHE PACE AT THE CENTRE OF BODYLINE
THE LEGACYBodyline forced cricket to confront the limits of short-pitched tactics, while Larwood's mechanics remained a model of efficient pace.
KIRKBY-IN-ASHFIELD · ENGLAND1904 — 1995
Test wicketsWickets in the 1932–33 AshesBest Test inningsFirst-class wicketsTest wicketsWickets in the 1932–33 AshesBest Test inningsFirst-class wickets
01

Origin
and identity

Larwood's exceptional pace and accuracy made him both England's Ashes weapon and cricket's most controversial fast bowler.

A Nottinghamshire miner's son with a smooth, low action, he could bowl frighteningly fast without surrendering control.

Bodyline forced cricket to confront the limits of short-pitched tactics, while Larwood's mechanics remained a model of efficient pace.

02

A defining
career arc

PLACES · MOMENTS · ERAS

DEFINING SCENES.
ONE LEGACY.

1
1904
The beginning

Kirkby-in-Ashfield

Harold Larwood was born in Kirkby-in-Ashfield, Nottinghamshire, England.

2
1926
Test debut

Lord's

He began his England career against Australia.

3
1928
Six for thirty-two

Brisbane

His career-best innings launched an Ashes-winning tour.

4
1933
Bodyline completed

Sydney

He finished the 1932–33 Ashes with 33 wickets before the controversy ended his Test career.

5
1993
MBE

Australia

He received long-delayed official recognition for services to cricket.

03

Completed
milestones

NOT JUST RECORDS.
LANDMARKS.

0178

Test wickets

Across 21 matches

0233

Wickets in the 1932–33 Ashes

The leading series haul

036/32

Best Test innings

Against Australia in Brisbane

041,427

First-class wickets

At 17.51

These are completed, source-backed milestones; changing live totals are intentionally excluded.

STYLE · INFLUENCE · MEMORY

BUILD THE
LARWOOD LEGACY.

Bodyline forced cricket to confront the limits of short-pitched tactics, while Larwood's mechanics remained a model of efficient pace.

04

Editorial
references

EDITORIAL & REFERENCE SOURCES

FACTS WITH
A PAPER TRAIL.

01CricketWeb community Top 100 — rank 7502Career record — Harold Larwood03Supporting profile — Harold Larwood04Wikimedia Commons — Harold Larwood 1932 cigarette card.jpg and licence

Editorial facts and completed milestones last reviewed on September 2, 2026. This independent tribute does not imply endorsement.