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I have never seen a single serious commentator defend the underarm delivery in this way. A few (including Greg Chappell himself) have offered up excuses, but yo

I have never seen a single serious commentator defend the underarm delivery in this way. A few (including Greg Chappell himself) have offered up excuses, but your perspective (Greg Chappell did absolutely nothing wrong) is unique in my experience. Richie Benaud's reaction is canonical in this respect youtube.com/watch?v=mIL6KZox6Ao The reason for near universal opprobrium is that in cricket fair play is supposed to trump strict interpretation of the rules. I do agree with you in one respect, I didn't like Brian McKechnie's reaction either. Much more classy to remain aloof. Alternatively I would have liked to see him pick up the ball, toss it up and attempt to clear the boundary with a free hit. Why not at that stage. Incidentally, amazingly enough McKechnie was a central figure in another one of the great national sporting controversies of the 20th century in a different sport entirely. Particularly bizarre given that he was never much more than a journeyman in either sport (cricket and rugby). On that occasion we were on the wrong side of history, or sportsmanship anyway. Andy Haden dived out of a lineout in injury time against Wales, and McKechnie kicked the penalty to retain our long unbeaten streak against the Welsh. But that's another story.

danieltillett 11y ago
Yes I do seem to be in the minority on this - I do have a love of the creative use of rules though :) Australians seem to want to forget about the whole episode, while kiwis seem to want to bring it up everytime they can. Far worse things have happened in cricket without them getting the same attention - for example the rebel tours of South Africa in the 1980s.
- billforsternz 11y ago
  You're right we do like to bring it up all the time. I remember watching and the anger still burns.... It's hard enough to compete with Aus in Aus without playing against a stacked deck. Example; In that game Greg Chappell was cleanly caught by a brilliant diving catch by Martin Snedden. TV replays showed it was a clean catch. At the time all convention dictated that the umpire's decision could only be "out". In those days you were supposed to trust the players to be honest. For some reason Chappell was allowed to discuss the matter with the umpires and then to stay in, and only his innings kept Aus in the game. It should really not have come down to the last ball.... To be honest that little bit of chicanery offended me more than the underarm thing. Casts a shadow over an otherwise great batsman's reputation in these parts. Perhaps it is time for me to get over it.....

danieltillett 11y ago

Yes I do seem to be in the minority on this - I do have a love of the creative use of rules though :) Australians seem to want to forget about the whole episode, while kiwis seem to want to bring it up everytime they can. Far worse things have happened in cricket without them getting the same attention - for example the rebel tours of South Africa in the 1980s.

billforsternz 11y ago
You're right we do like to bring it up all the time. I remember watching and the anger still burns.... It's hard enough to compete with Aus in Aus without playing against a stacked deck. Example; In that game Greg Chappell was cleanly caught by a brilliant diving catch by Martin Snedden. TV replays showed it was a clean catch. At the time all convention dictated that the umpire's decision could only be "out". In those days you were supposed to trust the players to be honest. For some reason Chappell was allowed to discuss the matter with the umpires and then to stay in, and only his innings kept Aus in the game. It should really not have come down to the last ball.... To be honest that little bit of chicanery offended me more than the underarm thing. Casts a shadow over an otherwise great batsman's reputation in these parts. Perhaps it is time for me to get over it.....