The passing of Tony Greig came as a shock to me, and us all. It was always interesting discussing cricket with him in the SCG Press Box.
He had that certain presence, that certain aura, a charisma that attracts. At 6’7″ he was larger than life-size, but was very approachable.
Tall, fair, handsome and articulate, Greig has gone through the gauntlet and emerged unscathed. Born in South Africa, he shone out as an all-rounder for England, later captaining his adopted country to success. He was one of the key figures in the formation of Kerry Packer’s World Series Cricket in 1977. His voice was recognised internationally as the cricket commentator on Channel 9 in Australia with that typical ‘Greigy’ unflappable style.
He was a leader of men, charming and multi-talented. He knew what he wanted and he got it.
According to Christopher Martin-Jenkins in World Cricketers (1996), “[Greig] was a brave determined and skilful all-round cricketer who seldom failed in Tests and many times seemed to be holding England’s fortunes on his shoulders.”
At times ruthless, he relished challenges, imposing his personality on matches and on events.
He usually batted at number six and showed the bowlers who the boss was. And who would argue with his tall frame? He came out swinging his bat round his shoulders as he took the ‘middle’ from the umpire. Mostly a front-foot batsman, he specialised on the off-drive and lofted straight drives which went over the ropes and within the Stands.
Like Keith Miller before him he had ‘six appeal’ and he was a crowd favourite, especially in India. Many of his best innings were played on his two tours to India.
In 1972-73 he shone out as a batsman playing unbeaten innings of 68 and 40 (and accepting five catches) in the Delhi Test which England won by 6 wickets. In the final Test in Mumbai, he hit 148. During this innings he added 254 runs with Keith Fletcher.
Greig achieved all-round success when England toured the Caribbean the next season. He scored 430 runs (including two centuries) at 47.77 and captured 24 wickets at 22.62 runs apiece.
In the third Test in Bridgetown he made 148, his joint top score and bagged 6 for 164, becoming the first to record a hundred and take five wickets in an innings of the same Test for England. Inspired, Greig scored another century in the Georgetown Test and captured 8 for 86 and 5 for 70 in the final Test in Port-of-Spain.
Both his 8 for 86 in that innings and 13 for 156 in the match were records for England against the West Indies at that time. On this tour he had switched from swing to quickish off-spin which may explain his success. This bowling bonanza enabled England to win the Test and draw the series.
However, his copybook was blotted somewhat by a controversy in the first Test in Port-of-Spain. When West Indian batsman Bernard Julien played the last ball of the second day down the pitch, Greig picked it up. Then observing that Alvin Kallicharran was out of the crease, he threw down the stumps and appealed. Kallicharran was given run out by umpire Sang Hue and the crowd was furious. After long consultations between captains, umpires and administrators, the appeal was withdrawn. Greig apologised and peace was restored.
He carried his fine batting form to Australia in 1974-75, playing a buccaneering innings of 110 against Dennis Lillee and Jeff Thomson at their peak. This was the first century in a Brisbane Test by an England player since 1936-37. He put in an impressive all-round performance in the third Test in Melbourne, scoring 60 in the second innings. lofting off-spinner Ashley Mallett for a monstrous hit in the outer and taking valuable wickets.
Appointed captain, Greig led England to a successful tour of India in 1976-77. England won the Test series 3-1 as he totalled 342 runs at 42.75. His 103 in the Kolkata Test, his 49th, was memorable as he became the first one to achieve the double of 3,000 runs and 100 wickets for England.
Greig led England in the historic Centenary Test in Melbourne in March 1977 which attracted the largest collection of international cricketers in history.
Although England lost, Greig remained a very popular player on and off the field. At that time he was “earning upwards of £50,000 a year from various cricket contracts and allied business activities”, according to Christopher Martin-Jenkins in World Cricketers (1996). He was also certain of leading England for many years.
Then came Kerry Packer’s rebel World Series Cricket (WSC) with Greig as one of the key figures and he lost credibility with the establishment. Although he was the captain of England, he travelled the world between March and May 1977 to sign up many of the world’s best cricketers on Packer’s behalf, including some of his own team-mates. The WSC was born soon after and Greig was dismissed as captain of England for what was regarded as “his betrayal of trust” but he continued to play for them successfully under Mike Brearley in 1977.
In 58 Tests he scored 3,599 runs at a healthy average of 40.43 with eight centuries and took 141 wickets at 32.20, claiming 5 wickets in an innings six times and pouched 87 catches.
He was one of the four cricketers who averaged more than 40 with the bat and under 35 with the ball in Test arena, others being Aubrey Faulkner of South Africa, the West Indies’ legend Garry Sobers and South African Jacques Kallis.
And in 350 first-class matches, he amassed 16,660 runs at 31.19, took 856 wickets at 28.85 and held 345 catches. As a slip fielder he was superlative, the safest and the most brilliant of his era. Well, his height helped too.
Greig migrated to Australia in 1978 and started as a chairman of an insurance company and became a successful television commentator on Channel 9.
Along with WSC pioneers Richie Benaud and Ian Chappell, Greig has been broadcasting the game and presenting his views on the box for 30 years. He spoke his mind without fear or favour and remained popular with TV viewers from the time the coin is tossed (with his key in the pitch as his trade mark) to interviewing the man of the match at the end.
One cannot speak for hours on end without a gaffe here and there and Greig is known for putting his foot in his mouth on occasions. He was once ‘caught out’ when commentating on Channel 9 during a one-day international between Australia A and West Indies on the Sydney Cricket Ground on 10 January 1996. When a batsman hit a sizzling six, he yelled in excitement “It’s a HUGE sh*t” instead of “It’s a HUGE six.”
A lively after-dinner speaker, he told a humorous story at a cricket function. He had just started playing county cricket for Sussex after leaving South Africa. The bowler steamed in and had Greig out plumb lbw. That was the first ball he had faced and to his relief the appeal was turned down. He took a single off the next ball which brought him near the umpire who whispered to him: “Do you know Sandy Greig from Queenstown?” “He’s my father”, Tony replied. “Damn good decision, then!” was the retort from the umpire who was Sandy’s mate. Greig went on to make 150-plus, captured newspaper headlines and never looked back.
Tony Greig will be remembered for his tall frame, tall hits and tall (but true) tales.
With the passing of Peter Roebuck, Roar’s Vinay Verma and now Greigy, the SCG Press Box will not look the same.
Vale, Tony Greig.
Bearfax
Guest
Agreed. Another sad loss to cricket JC.
Kersi Meher-Homji
Guest
Jason,
Jason Cave
Guest
And if Tony Greig's death wasn't bad enough, news came through from London overnight that cricket commentator and a key part of the BBC's 'Test Match Special', Christopher Martin-Jenkins, 'CMJ', has also passed away in London.
Razza
Guest
Tong Greig, the first time i saw Tony in person was about 40 years ago not long after he arrived on the scene walking along the main street in Kings Cross, he stood head and shoulders above everyone around him, a giant of a man. The second and last time i saw Tony in person was about 25 years ago anxiously clinging to the bowrail of my boat (his finger prints are still there) in Sydney Harbour off Manly Wharf beach, we were moored out about level with the end of the wharf having a beer and a perv when all of a sudden this tall blonde headed guy on a sailboard came heading towards us at a great rate of knots, out of control and looking for somewhere to save him from going into the drink, now this is where "Bogie" my boat came in handy for him, this guy lunged at the bowrail and grabbed it with both hands with a relieved look on his face. This is when i relised it was Tony Greig from cricketing fame, i said to him, how are you today Tony ?, he answered with, embarrased, then said, i am glad you guys were here with a laugh, we all quickly got him sorted out with the balance of the sailboard, he got his act together and with a, thanks guys headed on his way across the harbour in a some what uneasy fashion, no doubt Tony was learning to sailboard. Over the next many years i have enjoyed watching and listening to Tony as a commentater with his strong South African voice joining in with the panel in many a debate over cricket rules and regulations with alot of laughs along the way and i will always remember him pushing his car key into a crack in the pitch of the days play and who could forget when playing against Australia his over when bowling to a young blonde up and comer, the late David Hookes, after a few words from Tony as David was walking to the pitch that must have got under Davids skin, he hit every ball over the fence or to the boundary,Tony took it in his stride, but i think he was a little bit embarrased. Love him or loath him, Tony Greig had a very big hand in what cricket is today and alot of younsters are coming through thanks to him, he was very competetive on the field, many say arrogant, but off the field, a complete gentleman and will be missed greatly, i was shocked when i heard that Tony had lung cancer, but i was devistated when i heard of his passing so soon after of a heart attack. My condolences go out to his family and many friends, the cricket world is stronger because of Tony, RIP mate.
Dingo
Guest
Some of my earliest memories of cricket are from the 74/75 Ashes tour, Tony Greig was one of the "Poms" we loved and loathed in equal portions, because he was a champion. My thoughts are with his family and his cricketing family. R.I.P
Neuen
Roar Rookie
Tony you will truly missed RIP.
Brick Tamlin of the Pants Party
Guest
The clip with Tony going on a mathmatical diatribe while a bag pipe band wanders around the WACA is priceless.
Brick Tamlin of the Pants Party
Guest
RIP Tony,listening to you argue with Bill Lawry as a kid was always great entertainment.
Oracle
Guest
First saw Tony Greig play at MCG for ROTW, running around the field for a short time in one of Bishen Bedi's turbans. Same day Sobers made a duck. He certainly wasn't frightened to bait the crowd and opposition, but he must have regretted his "we will make them grovel" remark about the West Indies. Today's cricketers can thank Kerry Packer and also Tony Greig for their stand in the 70's and the great money they get paid today.
Bearfax
Guest
One of the great personalities of the game. You loved him or hated him, there was no ambivalence. I thought he brought a special element to the game that is often missing. Personality, swagger, arrogance, competitiveness, dominance. He is one of those people who attracts crowds. And he was even better as a commentator. There was nothing routine or common about Greig. Nothing wishy washy. You got what you saw and thanks Tony for being such a stand out character. Sad that he died so young. Used to look forward to his banter especially against Bill Lawry...was always a treat when those two got started. We'll miss you Tony. Thanks for the memories.
sheek
Roar Guru
Kersi, Very good. Also I recall an Australian batsman (can't remember who) complaining that Greig's shadow at silly point was encroaching on the pitch. So Sobers swapped Gavaskar into the position. Shorter shadow - problem solved!
Jiggles
Roar Guru
I didn't always agree with Greig but gosh I will miss him. Along with Richie, Bill and Ian he has been the voice of my summers for my entire life. Top knock Tony!
Kersi Meher-Homji
Guest
Sheek, There is another story about Tony Greig (6'7") and Sunil Gavaskar (5'5") batting together during a Rest of World XI and Australia match in 1971. Looking at the difference in their heights, a lady asked the ABC commentary team, "How do these two batsmen communicate with each other?" ABC commentator Norman May replied, "By Morse code. One is a dash and the other is a dot!"
Punter
Guest
Thanks Tony, big part of my childhood, RIP.
Kasey
Guest
Terribly saddened to hear the news of Tony's passing, I doubt there's an Aussie kid of my era that didn't play backyard cricket mimicking the commentary from the Great man: It just won't be the Commentary 'team' without Bill and Tony. "You cawnt pawk you caw on the grawse, then go see jurassic pawk yew stewpid bawstid"! Thanks for the compilation Kento...classic stuff:) Was it Griegy who once commented "I wonder how much she cost?"on an Asian lady getting married in the parkland around a cricket game? vale Tony Grieg:( Anybody else think it was disrespectful of Mr Cricket to not delay his retirement Presser or was it just bad timing? I was thinking that the only cricket story today should be all Tony Grieg.
Minister for Information for the Democratic People's Republic of Football
Guest
He had his critics but I always loved the guy because he spoke his mind.... even if he might have been deluded at the time. He didn't toe the PC line and I loved him for that . Tony Greig.... thanks for many memorable summers of cricket to which you contributed. Rest in Peace...
Bunratty
Guest
A brave, very nice man.
sheek
Roar Guru
Hello Kersi, You have penned a nice tribute to Tony Greig. I love the story of Greig & South African Hylton Ackerman arriving in Sydney in late 1971 on a flight from Johannesburg to join the Rest of the World team in a series of five internationals against Ian Chappell's Australians. A couple of fellows from the ACB were there to meet them including this short, balding, bespectacled, innocuous looking guy. The short guy asked them if they wanted to grab a coffee. They said "yeah," but first Ackerman told the short guy to hold his bags while he went to the toilet. When they finally sat down for coffee, Greig asked the short guy if he had anything to do with cricket. At this point the short guy introduced himself as Don Bradman. After Greig & Ackerman had got over their shock of not recognising the great man & finally being in his company, they all had a good laugh about it. Tony Greig had an unusual introduction to test cricket. He played eight internationals before making his official test debut in the 1972 Ashes series. In 1970 Greig played three internationals for England against the Rest of the World & in 1971/72 he played five internationals for the Rest of the World against Australia. Greig was one of those opponents you loved to 'hate' but secretly respected & admired because he made life tough for your own team. Greig was a wonderful servant of cricket who always tried to be positive when playing. He was also a colourful & informative commentator. As Brett says above - Roebuck, Verma & Greig in heaven (upstairs) - there'll be some strident discussions for sure!
My condolences to his family, I remember his last interview they did with him at home, he sounded upbeat and ready to fight the cancer. I always enjoyed his commentary and will miss his presence. RIP.
Andy_Roo
Roar Guru
Great Tribute Kersi. RIP Tony Greig. I have never, until today taken a close look at Tony's career statistics. I only ever knew him as a commentator and a great character from behind the microphone. His humour has been missed all summer and summer will not be the same without himn.