Recalling the underarm incident of 1981- Opinion
Few incidents in the history of the game have been as disgraceful as the 1981 underarm bowling incident in Australia. It was widely regarded as the most deplorable event in cricket history which divided the two Trans-Tasman neighbors to the point of banning
the practice of underarm bowling by the International Cricket Council.
Perhaps it was the heat of the moment or the situation at hand that made the incident so grave and pinching. New Zealand needed six runs from the final ball in pursuit of the Australian total of 235. The first half of the New Zealand reply was a difficult
one, given that they managed to carve their way through by losing wickets on a frequent basis. Then came the last over with the visitors poised at 229, needing six runs off the final ball. A http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Javed-Miandad-c66580 shot was in the reckoning.
When controversy unfolds it unfolds and spreads like bushfire. Such is the impact that immoral greed has, that anything that falls under the paradigm of being legal is considered in its true essence. Australian captain http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Gregory-Stephen-Chappell-c60820, acknowledging the competency
of the batsman http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Brian-John-McKechnie-c48542, decided to roll the ball towards his brother Trevor, who was as incompetent with the ball as his opposite number at the other end. This decision irked many around him yet Chappell decided that the game had to be won at all costs.
Now the question here lies with regard to Greg Chappell’s intentions. Was it really a case of degrading New Zealand to their knees to have the ball bowled underarm instead of the orthodox way? If yes, then yet another query begins to surface. Bowling an
underarm delivery would have most certainly negated any possibility of New Zealand getting the runs, so can it be rightly dubbed as a disgusting tactic used by the Australians to have it their own way? For most impartial observers, the latter holds true, where
Australia wanted to win the game at all costs to become victors in this all important final.
Interestingly, the 1981 game at the MCG was beset by another wave of controversy after a protest as http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Usman-Afzaal-c94676 to refrain from bowling such a delivery, (which was legal
at that point of time but against the spirit of the game), highlighted the differing schools of thought that existed within the Australian Cricket Team. Chappell continued to be highly critical of the entire incident even till today, although he readily admits
that recalling the flashbacks of 1981 gives him plenty of shivers and quivers. The end result for a dismayed http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Australia-c746 was a swarm of Kiwi fans booing them off of the pitch despite them
winning it.
Yet there is more to what happened on the field. The spillover effect of the incident was far reaching where even the then New Zealand Prime Minister, Robert Muldoon considered the incident to be unfathomable. The diplomatic aspect of the incident ironically,
helped Australia and New Zealand agree on what many believed was contrary to the spirit of the game. Here were two nations which were at loggerheads and keenly contested with each other in terms of sibling rivalry. Australian Prime Minister, Malcolm Fraser,
was quick to reiterate Muldoon’s views by considering it to be unsportsmanlike.
Today is an age of innovation and new tactics being constantly employed in cricket. Yet regardless of this fact, it is true that even consumerists would shudder over the very prospect of having underarm bowling as a defensive tactic in modern times.
Disclaimer: Any views and opinions expressed in this article are solely of the author and do not represent Bettor.com's official editorial policy.
Tags: