The Underarm Bowling Controversy, 1981

On February 1, 1981, cricket witnessed one of its darkest moments at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG). With one ball left in a high-stakes ODI final, New Zealand needed six runs to tie. What followed shocked the cricketing world: Australian captain Greg Chappell instructed his younger brother, Trevor, to bowl underarm along the ground. Legal under the rules, but condemned as shameful, the decision changed cricket forever.

The Incident

• The context: The series was tied 1-1 coming into the decisive third final. Australia had posted 235/4. Chasing, New Zealand stood at 229/8 after 49.5 overs. At the crease were Brian McKechnie and Bruce Edgar.
• Bruce Edgar's role: Edgar had already scored a brilliant unbeaten century, but as the non-striker, he was powerless to influence the outcome from his end of the pitch.
• The equation: 6 runs were needed off the last ball to tie.
• Greg Chappell's call: Under pressure, Greg ordered Trevor Chappell to bowl underarm to deny any chance of a six.
• The delivery: Trevor rolled the ball along the pitch. McKechnie, furious at the unsporting tactic, simply defended it back and threw his bat away in disgust.
• The result: Australia won by 6 runs — but in the process, the "spirit of cricket" was dealt a heavy blow.

Why It Was Controversial

• Legality vs spirit: The delivery was legal, but seen as a mockery of fair play.
• Condemnation: Outrage erupted instantly. New Zealand's Prime Minister Robert Muldoon called it "an act of cowardice." Australian commentators described it as "the most disgraceful thing to happen in cricket."
• Inside story: Greg Chappell later admitted regret, saying he was mentally exhausted at the time. Even Trevor Chappell has spoken of his discomfort in carrying out the order.

The Aftermath

• The International Cricket Council (ICC) swiftly moved to ban underarm bowling in limited-overs cricket, officially stating it was "not within the spirit of the game."
• The incident permanently scarred Australia's cricketing image, with the Chappell brothers carrying the burden of the decision for the rest of their careers.
• To this day, the word "underarm" is synonymous with gamesmanship gone too far.

Final Note

The 1981 Underarm Controversy remains one of the most infamous flashpoints in cricket. It was not about a single delivery, but about what cricket stands for: fairness, integrity, and respect. In winning that day, Australia lost something far greater — its reputation for playing the game in the right spirit.