A little below medium height, 5' 8", and of wiry build, Larwood was capable of producing extreme speed in all conditions. A well-controlled 18-yard run-up helped him gently accelerate to the wicket. It was flawless. He exploded into his delivery stride ready to strike and there were few who could survive when he was at his best. The sheer terror of facing him was enough to dismiss them.

Larwood's moment of destiny came during the 1932-33 Test series in Australia as England went in search of the Ashes after the humiliation of the 1930 series. Bradman scored a 974 runs in that Test series, a record which still stands today, at an average of 139.14.

The captain was Douglas Jardine and he had a plan to counter Bradman's genius. Larwood, with his hostile and accurate bowling, was essential to that plan.

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