Underarm Bowling Incident of 1981
The 1981 Underarm Bowling Scandal
The Underarm Bowling Incident of 1981 stands as one of the most polarizing moments in sporting history. This controversy unfolded on February 1, 1981, during a One Day International (ODI) match between Australia and New Zealand. The game served as the third match in a best-of-five final for the 1980–81 World Series Cup, hosted at the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG).
Series Status at a Glance
| Match | Winner | Series Score |
|---|---|---|
| Match 1 | New Zealand | NZ 1 - AUS 0 |
| Match 2 | Australia | NZ 1 - AUS 1 |
| Match 3 | Australia | NZ 1 - AUS 2 |
Prelude to the Controversy
The match was officiated by two Australian umpires: Donald Weser and Peter Cronin. Tension had already mounted earlier in the game during Australia's batting phase. Greg Chappell was on 58 when New Zealand's Martin Snedden claimed a low catch.
While the television broadcast on Channel Nine provided clear, slow-motion evidence that the catch was clean, Chappell did not immediately concede. Former captain Richie Benaud provided the following commentary:
"That is one of the best catches I have ever seen in my life... There is no question in my mind that that was a great catch – clearly caught above the ground, a superb catch."
While tradition suggested Chappell should have accepted Snedden's word, Chappell insisted on waiting for the official ruling. Ironically, Chappell later reached 90 before being caught by Bruce Edgar; in that instance, he walked off the field immediately.
The Bowling Calculation Error
A significant tactical blunder occurred regarding the bowling rotation. Due to a failure in hand-calculations during a meeting between Greg Chappell, Kim Hughes, Rod Marsh, and Dennis Lillee, the team mismanaged their overs.
- Graeme Beard finished his 10-over quota in the 43rd and 45th overs.
- Dennis Lillee, Australia's premier bowler, finished his 10 overs just before the final over.
Benaud later criticized Greg Chappell for "getting his sums wrong," as Lillee should have been the one bowling the final over. Consequently, Trevor Chappell was tasked with the final six balls.
The Final Over Breakdown
New Zealand entered the final over needing 15 runs to secure victory. Bruce Edgar, who scored a magnificent (often cited as the most overlooked century of all time), remained stranded at the non-striker's end for the duration of the over.
The Mathematical Requirement
At the conclusion of the fifth ball, the state of the game was:
Under the regulations of the era, a tie would have resulted in the match being replayed (a scenario that later occurred in the 1983–84 Australian Tri-Series).
The Infamous Delivery
With eight wickets down and Brian McKechnie at the crease, the Australian captain, Greg Chappell, issued a shocking directive to his brother, Trevor: bowl the final ball underarm.
The goal was simple: prevent McKechnie from hitting a six by ensuring the ball stayed low.
Legal Status vs. Sporting Spirit
- Legal? Yes, under the laws of the time.
- Ethical? Widely viewed as a violation of the "spirit of cricket."
- Common? No; it was considered an archaic style, unused even in junior cricket.
Note: Some English competitions, like the Benson Hedges Cup, had already banned this practice.
The Execution
After the umpires and batsmen were notified of the change in style, Trevor Chappell rolled the ball along the ground, similar to a game of bowls. McKechnie could only block the ball defensively.
The Result:
- Australia won the match.
- McKechnie threw his bat in frustration.
- NZ Captain Geoff Howarth stormed the field to protest, believing the move was illegal.
Technically, the ball should have been a no-ball because Dennis Lillee had failed to walk into his fielding position before the delivery.
Aftermath
The global backlash was immediate and severe. The incident is remembered not as a tactical masterstroke, but as a breach of fair play. This outrage eventually forced the international governing bodies to amend the laws of cricket, officially banning underarm bowling to ensure such a controversy would never be repeated.