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

AI-generated pencil-and-ink drawing of an imagined cricket pitch, bat, ball and stumps with no people; not a portrait of Harold Larwood

CRICKET · AI ILLUSTRATIONTHE 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

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.

A defining
career arc

PLACES · MOMENTS · ERAS

DEFINING SCENES.
ONE LEGACY.

1904

The beginning

Kirkby-in-Ashfield

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

1926

Test debut

Lord's

He began his England career against Australia.

1928

Six for thirty-two

Brisbane

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

1933

Bodyline completed

Sydney

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

1993

MBE

Australia

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

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.

Editorial
references

EDITORIAL & REFERENCE SOURCES

FACTS WITH
A PAPER TRAIL.

01CricketWeb community Top 100 — rank 75 02Career record — Harold Larwood 03Supporting profile — Harold Larwood

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