1 Feburary 1981

[CK]

Today is 29 years since one of the most infamous incidents in international cricket - the Trevor Chappell underarm ball. I remember watching the game and not fully understanding the furore at the time. Was anyone here, there for the game or if not, can recount the feeling at the time?

[Moe]

I was only 9, but can remember it vividly due to my fathers reaction.
Also remember the digust on Rod Marsh's face.

[Rik E Boy]

Chappell was on a roll
It was an underhanded act
He tried to palm the blame off on to his brother
Aussies had an underarm problem
Trev felt a bit grubby after the incident

regards,

REB

[dedja]

I remember watching it on TV. IIRC Chappelli was commentating and implored his brother not to do it.

I also remember Rod Marsh being distressed when he realised what was going to happen ... he was crossing his arms in a 'no way' action.

Trevor Chappell was the fall guy ... poor bastard.

Greg Chappell later admitted that he had been under enormous presure and wasn't in a fit mental state to captain that day.

The stupid thing was that the Kiwis needed 6 off the last ball to tie, so the Aussies were never going to lose (no balls excepted).

[westozfalcon]

I remember the post match furore. Pointing out the fact that it was a cowardly act, NZ Prime Minister Robert Muldoon quipped that it was appropriate the Aussies were wearing yellow.

[Interceptor]

The stupid thing was that the Kiwis needed 6 off the last ball to tie, so the Aussies were never going to lose (no balls excepted).

Yeah but even a tie would be too good for the Kiwis

Trevor should've stood up to Greg, even though he was obviously his captain.
There are some orders that just cross the line and you have to refuse.

[redandblack]

Chappell was on a roll
It was an underhanded act
He tried to palm the blame off on to his brother
Aussies had an underarm problem
Trev felt a bit grubby after the incident

regards,

REB

I bet you were flat out like a lizard drinking, compiling that, REB.

It was lucky Chappell got off the ground as his act was hardly on the level.

Think we've run out, now

[Ian]

Was anyone here, there for the game or if not, can recount the feeling at the time?

Not there, but was watching it on TV, at first I laughed and cheered the win, then I started to think it wasn't really the way I'd like to see the Aussies win. I remember my old man was completely disgusted and wanted G Chappell sacked on the spot!

[wycbloods]

I was born about 35 months later so i wasn't there but i know my dad wasn't too happy with G Chappell about this. He is over it now and just doesn't like Ian Chappell.

[dedja]

Well it seems my memory isn't as good as it should be, but then again this was nearly 30 years ago.

Chappelli didn't make any comments as I had thought (maybe it was later) and Rod Marsh had his arms crossed shaking his head.

Anyway, for those that missed it, can't remember or weren't born yet, here's the last over of that fateful day. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UkQRERykq5M

[Interceptor]

Anyway, for those that missed it, can't remember or weren't born yet, here's the last over of that fateful day. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UkQRERykq5M

Richie in fine editorial form there

[dedja]

Anyway, for those that missed it, can't remember or weren't born yet, here's the last over of that fateful day. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UkQRERykq5M

Richie in fine editorial form there

(with lips stuck together) pretty piss poor effort that from Greg Chappell

[McAlmanac]

The umpire at square leg was former SA Shield umpire Peter Cronin. I believe this was his last international match. Umpire Don Weser at the bowler's end also never umpired another international. Under the laws of the game at the time, he had no choice.

[locky801]

Remember it very well, all i can say is Ritchie summed it up perfectly

[Hondo]

Funny I too can remember watching it at only 9 years of age.

I remember feeling it was wrong but would have been influenced by my dad's and grandparent's (I think they were over) reactions as well as the commentators. Obviously, I still feel it was wrong.

AB gives a good insight into it on the DVD "Cricket in the 80s". He was a young fella at that stage with all the old heads and didn't know what to make of it.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UkQRERykq5M

[Booney]

I remember the post match furore. Pointing out the fact that it was a cowardly act, NZ Prime Minister Robert Muldoon quipped that it was appropriate the Aussies were wearing yellow.

I know a very good story about Muldoon.

[JK]

Well it seems my memory isn't as good as it should be, but then again this was nearly 30 years ago.

Chappelli didn't make any comments as I had thought (maybe it was later) and Rod Marsh had his arms crossed shaking his head.

Anyway, for those that missed it, can't remember or weren't born yet, here's the last over of that fateful day. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UkQRERykq5M

Can't remember the match at the time (think I was overseas), but with every replay I ever see I can feel the shame of it.

On the positive side of things, viewing that on youtube I managed to get a look at Warney's ball of the century again and Alan Donald's runout in the 99' WC Semi, so oddly I'll leave this thread feeling "thats good, thats pretty good!"

[bayman]

obviously it was wrong & presuming trevor bowled a reasonable ball, there would be no way a six would be hit (remember in those days the ball had to clear the fence)......i don't think that decision has hurt or tainted gregory stephen chappells character or career one bit

[McAlmanac]

Not trying to rationalise Greg Chappell's actions, but a South African bloke at work told me a story yesterday concerning a provincial one day final in South Africa. In a similar situation, Natal's Jonty Rhodes needed 7 runs to win off the final ball from Transvaal's Richard Snell (first bloke to take a Test wicket for South Africa upon their re-introduction to Tests). He's smashed a no ball for 6 and then won the game off the next delivery.

[Hondo]

There was a theory going that Chappell recalled a World Series Cricket game in the 78-79 season when West Indian tailender Wayne Daniel hit Mick Malone for 6 to win the game off the last ball.