We continue our Inspirational Ashes 30-day countdown to the first Test with Bill Woodfull, whose decorum was stretched to the limit as Australia's captain during the Bodyline series.

Had William Maldon Woodfull not conducted himself with such dignity in the 1932-1933 Ashes series, relations between Australia and England, in sporting, social and political terms, might have soured beyond repair.

With fast bowlers Harold Larwood and Bill Voce as his key weapons, Jardine led a side that pioneered the 'fast leg-theory': an intrepid tactic which peppered batsmen with short, quick bowling aimed at the head and body to a predominantly leg-side field. The options for batsmen were simple - attack and risk injury, or defend and be caught.

Despite the consternation, the tour continued as scheduled - and England's plan came off spectacularly well. Bradman averaged 'only' 56.57, Woodfull, the captain and opener, 

Woodfull could easily have instructed Australia's pace attack to adopt the 'fast leg-theory'. But to do so would have compromised his own principles, not to mention risked turning the series into a bloodbath.

The Victorian preferred not to publicly complain about England's tactics, and wanted the same from his players, despite the growing injury count. Even in the years after Bodyline, Woodfull largely kept his own counsel on the matter.

In the end, Woodfull was vindicated by his circumspection. No sooner had Bodyline came than it was gone, consigned to the pages of history as the bitter, cantankerous and utterly momentous event that it was.