The Ups and Downs of Cricket

The third Test of the 1933 'Bodyline’ cricket series has always been regarded as the most controversial Test match between England and Australia. Termed 'Bodyline’ for the bowling technique used by the English cricket team, this series created tension between the English and Australian cricket teams.

A record crowd of 50,000 attended the second Test match, a surprising number due to it being amidst the Depression. During the match, Bill Woodfull and William Oldfield were both injured by this new form of bowling. This is captured on this newsreel, that is ‘the ups and downs of cricket’.

Although silent, this newsreel does not use intertitles.

The Ups and Downs of Cricket synopsis

This newsreel shows highlights of the third Test cricket series, often referred to as the 'Bodyline’ series, between England and Australia in Adelaide in January 1933.

Curator's notes

Newsreels were an integral part of cinema programming in Australia before the advent of television in 1956. Issued on a weekly basis, newsreels enabled people to further engage with local and national political stories and events.

Notes by Elizabeth Taggert - Speers