 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 <unk> that could be caught by one of several fielders in the <unk> of the field behind square leg . This was considered by many to be <unk> and physically threatening , to the point of being unfair in a game once supposed to have <unk> traditions , although <unk> of the game had subsequently tended to elevate the principle of " win at all costs " above traditional ideals of <unk> . 
