Larwood's bowling dominated county cricket, with his ability to deliver balls at over 95mph with deadly accuracy. He finished top of the season average tables an astonishing five times between 1926 and 1936 and was named Wisden Cricketer of the Year in 1927.

During his 21 test matches between 1926 and 1933 he took 78 wickets and scored over 500 runs averaging 28.35. Five times he headed the English first-class bowling averages (1927; 1928; 1931; 1932; 1936) and eight times took 100 wickets in a season.

But he is best known for his role in the infamous 'Bodyline' Ashes tour of Australia in 1932.

During the series tour, the England captain Douglas Jardine instructed his fast bowlers Larwood and fellow Ashfield man Bill Voce, to deliver fast short balls directly at the opposition batmen's bodies (hence the nickname 'bodyline'). Larwood bowled flat out through the series, and his titanic battles against Australian Don Bradman have become cricketing legend.

The series saw Larwood take a staggering 33 wickets for less than 20 runs apiece and yet, this incredible series achievement ended in controversy which saw a premature end to Larwood's test career.

The notorious 'Bodyline' tour caused a major diplomatic uproar between Australia and England. Eventually, upon his return to England, he was made a scapegoat and was asked to apologise for his actions, but Larwood refused as he had merely followed the orders of his captain.

Larwood never played for England again, although he continued his career for Nottinghamshire until 1938. During his 381 first class matches he scored 7,289 runs and took 1427 wickets (ave: 17.15), 743 of whom were bowled.

Larwood retired from cricket in 1938 and in 1949 emigrated with his family to Australia, the very land where he had encountered so much hostility. He was received warmly. He often returned to his home village of Nuncargate.

He passed away in Sydney in 1995 at the age of 90. His achievements had finally been recognised in his country of birth in 1993, when he was awarded an MBE by cricket-loving Prime Minister John Major.

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