Ashes 2023: Dinesh Karthik compares Lord's Test with England's bodyline to Bradman blueprint

Dinesh Karthik, India's wicketkeeper-batter, has been perplexed by the excessive use of short balls in the ongoing second Ashes Test at the Lord's Cricket Ground. 

Pacers from both Australia and England used the short ball approach in the second Ashes Test, with the visitors putting the Ben Stokes-led side on the spot. England were on a roll at 180/1 when Australian pacers opted to bowl only short balls at the batters. However, as a result, the hosts were bundled out for 325 runs in their first innings.

Karthik took to Twitter ahead of the fifth day of the second Test match, comparing the Lord's Test to the bodyline series between Australia and England during the 1932-33 season.

"This ashes test in lords has to be a groundbreaking test match in terms of SHORT BALLS used after the BODYLINE series that happened 9 decades ago ( even there just one team used it )." Karthik's tweet read.

Earlier, former English cricketers lambasted the hosts for attempting to take on every short ball and advised them to be more calculated in their approach.

See Dinesh Karthik's tweet:

This ashes test in lords has to be a groundbreaking test match in terms of SHORT BALLS used after the BODYLINE series that happened 9 decades ago ( even there just one team used it )

Can anyone think if it's been used more in a test match ??
🤔#ashes#tacticalploy

— DK (@DineshKarthik) July 1, 2023

The bodyline series 1932-33 is considered one of the most controversial contests in the history of the sport, and the series was named for the strategy used by the English team, known as the "bodyline" or "leg theory" strategy.

During the bodyline series, the then-England captain Douglas Jardine along with bowling expert Harold Larwood planned a strategy to counter Australia's Don Bradman's batting strength. Notably, the bodyline bowling entailed quick bowling, and short-pitched deliveries, with a set of fielders positioned on the leg side.

The harsh and scary nature of the strategy sparked outrage because it undermined the safety of the batters. The Australian team and fans condemned the technique as unsporting and contrary to the spirit of the game. Interestingly, England won the series by winning four of the five matches while injuring many Australian batters.

Furthermore, in response to public outrage, cricket authorities enacted new laws and regulations to limit the use of intimidating bowling tactics.