NEW DELHI: On February 1, 1981, 'one of the worst things' on a cricket field was witnessed at the iconic
Melbourne Cricket Ground
(MCG). The cricket world was left stunned when then Australian captain
Greg Chappell instructed his younger brother Trevor to bowl an underarm delivery to New Zealand's
Brian McKechnie during a match of the Benson & Hedges World Series Cup.
Chasing a target of 236, New Zealand were 229/8 in 49.5 overs when McKechnie came out to bat as No. 10 batsman with the visitors needing a six off the last ball to tie the match. To deny New Zealand a six, Greg gave the infamous instruction to Trevor, asking him to bowl along the pitch, prompting an instant backlash around the world.
McKechnie defended the rolling ball and threw away his bat in disgust as New Zealand lost the match by six runs.
Bowling underarm was within the laws of cricket at the time, except in the Benson and Hedges County Cup Tournament in England, but it was widely perceived to fall under the bracket of unsportsmanlike behaviour.
Watch the incident, which former Australian Test captain and renowned commentator Richie Benaud described as "disgraceful" and 'one of the worst things I have ever seen done on a cricket field."
(Video courtesy - cricket.com.au)
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