"As you also probably know, only one side has overcome a 2-0 deficit to win a series, and that side was Australia, and that Australia included Don Bradman. The year was 1936. England boarded the Orion at Southampton docks in gabardines and trilbies to sail away on their first Ashes tour since Bodyline. The MCC had done its best to smooth over relations with Australia, including sending a side over the previous winter on a friendship mission, but sensitivities were still heightened."
"There was certainly no Bodyline meal at the Piccadilly Hotel this time around. The father of leg theory, Douglas Jardine, had pretty much retired from cricket in 1934, and in his place as England captain was the top-notch establishment man Gubby Allen. England were also without Harold Larwood who, top of the national averages with 119 wickets that 1936 summer, had refused to apologise for Bodyline."
England faced an uphill task to overturn Australia's 2-0 lead in the Ashes, a deficit only recovered by Australia in 1936. England boarded the Orion at Southampton in gabardines and trilbies for their first Ashes tour since Bodyline. The MCC attempted to smooth relations with Australia, but sensitivities remained high. Douglas Jardine had largely retired by 1934, and Gubby Allen captained the side. Harold Larwood stayed home after refusing to apologise for Bodyline; Bill Voce travelled after Allen persuaded him to atone. The 17-player squad included Wally Hammond, Hedley Verity, Maurice Leyland, Les Ames and George Duckworth. England won the first two Tests while Don Bradman faced scrutiny for his captaincy and form after scores of 38, 0, 0 and 82.
Read at www.theguardian.com
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