Empire

The first episode focuses on Australia, a yound nation, emerging from the shadow of England. Douglas Jardine is introduced at his 9th birthday in Bombay, Lord Harris explains the significance of the soon to be famous Harlequin cap, and his parents bid him an emotional farewell as he departs to be educated in England, first at Horris Hill School later at Winchester College. Andrew Lane teaches the young Jardine that cricket is a thinking mans game 'you don't bowl a batsmen out, you think him out'. Jardine emerges from WW1 tall and athletic, reserved and determined, this determination attracts interest from Percy Fender (Surrey Captain) who is impressed with Jardines captaincy. Meanwhile a young Harold Larwood is introduced bowling for money at the coal mine where he works and in Australia a certain Don Bradman is selected first for New South Wales and then in 1928 for Australia during Jardine's first tour down under.