Underarm Bowling Incident of 1981

The incident occurred on February 1, 1981, during a One Day International cricket match between Australia and New Zealand at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. With New Zealand requiring a six to tie the match, Australian captain Greg Chappell instructed his bowler Trevor Chappell to deliver the final ball underarm, preventing New Zealand batsman Brian McKechnie from hitting a six. This action, although legal at the time, was widely perceived as against the traditional spirit of cricketing fair play. The incident involved several key players, including Greg Chappell, Trevor Chappell, Brian McKechnie, and Geoff Howarth, and was witnessed by umpires Donald Weser and Peter Cronin.

The underarm bowling incident was a significant event in the history of cricket, highlighting the tension between the laws of the game and the spirit of fair play. The incident occurred in the context of a closely contested match, with New Zealand requiring a six to tie and Australia desperate to win. The use of underarm bowling was seen as archaic and uncompetitive, and the incident sparked widespread outrage, with commentators like Richie Benaud describing it as "disgraceful" and "one of the worst things I have ever seen done on a cricket field".

The implications of the incident were significant, leading to an official amendment to the international laws of cricket to prevent similar incidents in the future. The incident also highlighted the importance of sportsmanship and fair play in cricket, and the need for clear guidelines and rules to govern the game. The reaction to the incident was swift, with the New Zealand Prime Minister Robert Muldoon describing it as "the most disgusting incident I can recall in the history of cricket", and the incident remains a significant moment in the history of the sport.