Underarm Bowling Incident: February 1 was the same day in 1981. The third final of ‘Benson & Hedges World Series Cup’ was being played between New Zealand and Australia (AUS vs NZ). In the first two finals, one New Zealand and one Australia had won. In such a situation, it was a very important match. The end of this important match also happened in such a way that this match became memorable in the cricket world. This is because the cricket world had witnessed a shameful incident for the first time.
In this third final match, New Zealand needed 6 runs on the last ball to tie the match. But here at the behest of Australian captain Greg Chappell, his brother Trevor Chappell bowled an underarm ball, ie the ball was thrown towards the batsman while rolling. Brian McCaney standing here at the batting end got angry and decided not to play this ball and he went towards the pavilion. The Australian team won the match by 6 runs, but the Chappell brothers became infamous in the cricket world. This incident was presented in newspapers with headlines like ‘dark chapter’ of cricket and ‘shameful act’.
such was the thrill of the match
In this match, Australia won the toss and elected to bat first. Due to the half-centuries of Graeme Wood (72) and Greg Chappell (90), the Kangaroo team scored 235 runs losing 4 wickets. In response, the Kiwi team also made a strong start and scored 85 runs for the first wicket, but after that the Australian bowlers strengthened the match by taking back to back wickets. Although here Kiwi opener Bruce Agar remained at one end. Due to his unbeaten innings of 102 runs, the New Zealand team reached very close to winning the match.
Match reversed in the last over
The Kiwi team needed only 15 runs and had 5 wickets left in their hands. But within 8 runs the team lost 3 wickets and victory slipped out of New Zealand’s hands. Although New Zealand had the option of tying the match by hitting a six on the last ball, but here Travel Chappell rolled the ball and then Kiwi batsman Brian left the pitch in anger without touching the ball.
ICC bans underarm bowling
In that era, this type of ball was not invalid in cricket but it was considered against the spirit of the game. After this incident, the ICC banned the underarm ball. Greg Chappell also later apologized for this incident and Trevor Chappell also always regretted it.
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