The Coon Dog
12-12-2007, 10:57 PM
I was watching the England v Sri Lanka test match when bad light intervened.
They decided to show a one day final between Australia & New Zealand played at the MCG in the early 80's.
Australia made 235 batting first. Saw a great diving catch in the outfield by Martin Sneddon. Greg Chappell stayed his ground, not sure why as it was a terrific catch. The umpires ruled in the batsmans favour inexplicably. From memory, I recall an umpire saying he was watching to ensure the batsman put his bat over the crease when running. In other words, he wasn't watching.
In reply Bruce Edgar made an unbeaten century as the Kiwi's attempted to reign in the Aussies total.
After 49.1 overs the Kiwis needed 11 to win. Trevor Chappell was bowling & the Kiwis managed 4 runs from the next 4 balls. Brian McKechnie came in to face the last ball & needed to hit a six just to tie the game.
Australia's captain, Greg Chappell, instructed his brother to bowl underarm (more like a lawn bowl delivery as it ran all the way along the ground). Rod Marsh appeared to be uncomfortable behind the stupms & could clearly be seen saying "No mate".
This incident soured relationships between the 2 countries for a long time. In his commentary Richie Benaud said it was one of the more disgusting things he'd seen on a cricket field!
Here is the video:
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=1523230642166520760
There is an article on Wikipedia:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Underarm_bowling_incident_1981
What can you remember? How did you feel?
I was at the beach as it was a stinking hot day & I listened on my transistor radio. People around me couldn't believe what I was telling them. Everyone seemed shocked.
Things that struck me watching the game:
* The 'slate' roof on the old Southern Stand.
* Fielders wore white hats (think of Ray Bright & you'll know what I mean).
* How awkward did Max Walker's delivery action look?
* The old MCG scoreboard looked fantastic, little lights lit up the fielder & denoted which batsman was on strike.
* Advertising for Datsun.
* No ropes to determine the boundary.
* The white steel picket fence that ringed the MCG.
* Only Doug Walters batted with a helmet (had the big perspex visor), the rest wore caps other than Lance Cairns who was hatless (don't see that these days).
* Someone using a Gray Nicholls scoop.
* Very little slip, slop, slap in the crowd. Bare chests were the go.
They decided to show a one day final between Australia & New Zealand played at the MCG in the early 80's.
Australia made 235 batting first. Saw a great diving catch in the outfield by Martin Sneddon. Greg Chappell stayed his ground, not sure why as it was a terrific catch. The umpires ruled in the batsmans favour inexplicably. From memory, I recall an umpire saying he was watching to ensure the batsman put his bat over the crease when running. In other words, he wasn't watching.
In reply Bruce Edgar made an unbeaten century as the Kiwi's attempted to reign in the Aussies total.
After 49.1 overs the Kiwis needed 11 to win. Trevor Chappell was bowling & the Kiwis managed 4 runs from the next 4 balls. Brian McKechnie came in to face the last ball & needed to hit a six just to tie the game.
Australia's captain, Greg Chappell, instructed his brother to bowl underarm (more like a lawn bowl delivery as it ran all the way along the ground). Rod Marsh appeared to be uncomfortable behind the stupms & could clearly be seen saying "No mate".
This incident soured relationships between the 2 countries for a long time. In his commentary Richie Benaud said it was one of the more disgusting things he'd seen on a cricket field!
Here is the video:
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=1523230642166520760
There is an article on Wikipedia:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Underarm_bowling_incident_1981
What can you remember? How did you feel?
I was at the beach as it was a stinking hot day & I listened on my transistor radio. People around me couldn't believe what I was telling them. Everyone seemed shocked.
Things that struck me watching the game:
* The 'slate' roof on the old Southern Stand.
* Fielders wore white hats (think of Ray Bright & you'll know what I mean).
* How awkward did Max Walker's delivery action look?
* The old MCG scoreboard looked fantastic, little lights lit up the fielder & denoted which batsman was on strike.
* Advertising for Datsun.
* No ropes to determine the boundary.
* The white steel picket fence that ringed the MCG.
* Only Doug Walters batted with a helmet (had the big perspex visor), the rest wore caps other than Lance Cairns who was hatless (don't see that these days).
* Someone using a Gray Nicholls scoop.
* Very little slip, slop, slap in the crowd. Bare chests were the go.