In 1977, the cricketing world was taken upside down. The
champion cricketers of that era shunned their national duties and flew
Downunder to participate in a colourful and gorgeous show named World Series
Cricket. From Lord’s to Bridge Town to Lahore – an angry reaction came out, but
it hardly mattered for the man behind the event.
Kerry Packer, who wanted to be the ruler of television, saw
cricket as the medium to achieve his goals. But he was denied such rights by
the Australian cricket establishment which hurt Kerry’s ego badly. This led him
to bust the cricketing establishment, not only in Australia, but across the
world with a detonator, and the blast still resonates.
To recruit the best players from the world was not an easy
task. Kerry required some smart and influential people to achieve the goals for
him. Thankfully, Tony Greig and Asif Iqbal were there for him. While Asif Iqbal
influenced the most important and charismatic Pakistani cricketers, the
persuasive Tony Greig was able to polish off the cream of English cricketers.
Given the plight of Australian cricketers, their connivance
was hardly a problem. The full of South African team, who were out of
international cricket for decades did not think twice and flew in Australia.
Meanwhile, Clive Lloyd enriched Packer's show by surfacing the major West
Indian cricketers.
When the news of World Series Cricket broke out, one man
became a villain. Tony Greig was portrayed as a traitor by the English
establishment, but it didn’t deter him from working with Kerry and establish a
long-lasting partnership which proved purposeful in a seismic shifting of
modern cricket.
The glamour and financial success which the present day
cricketers enjoy, they owe a lot to Kerry’s World Series Cricket and of course,
Tony’s loyalty, brain and influence aided him a lot. Their unlikely friendship
let the cricketing hierarchy realize the importance of branding cricket and its
loyal students in a world which was changing and a tight hug with the so-called
tradition won’t bring anything good for the game.
Modification of the so-called traditions doesn’t insult
them, but it works as a major driving force to adjust to the new world and
advance forward to create a brave new change.
Tony, a fearless and great thinker of the game, realized
such things and thus, he gave Kerry the logistic support. Still, the
traditionalists in England failed to realize the pulse of the changing world
and kept on criticising him. He was sacked as the captain of England and though
it hurt Tony, he was not devastated.
He said, "Obviously I am disappointed that my reign as
England Captain has come to an end just as we were beginning to put things
together. From a personal point of view, the only redeeming factor is that I
have sacrificed cricket's most coveted job for a cause which I believe could be
in the best interests of cricketers the world over."
Indeed, his sacrifice was for a bigger cause and it didn’t
go waste. Kerry’s financial power, shrewd business brain and Tony’s ability to
handle the situation and convince the best players to be a part of this change
gave cricket a new identity, the benefits of which, world cricket is still
enjoying.
Kerry Packer's son James said, “Greig stood shoulder to
shoulder with my father at times when it was not always fashionable. Together
with the backing of other key players and supporters, they forged a brave new
age for both cricketers and spectators alike. For that alone, every fan of the
game is in Tony Greig's debt. But he was much more than that. Our cricket enemy
turned our mate.”
World Series Cricket dented Tony’s international cricket career
forever, but for whom cricket was like a religion and passion, it was hard for
Tony to stay away from the action.
Tony sat behind the microphone and his voice became a part
and parcel of our day to day life. His voice became the darling of the young
fans of the 80s and 90s and it seemed he knew what the young generation of fans
wnated to listen. His impulsive, but friendly voice with a touch of flirtness ,
grabbed the imagination of the cricket fans all around the world.
On some occasions, Tony’s presence at the commentary box
became a must. Like when Sachin Tendulkar used to bat, it didn’t become a
matter of youthful joy until and unless Tony’s voice was heard. He took
Tendulkar’s batting expertise to a new level for those who watched the little
master in action on television.
On the other hand, his legendary but friendly on-air banters
with Bill Lawry made cricket commentary a subject of great interest and fun
during the Australian summer.
On December 29, 2012, Tony’s voice stopped forever. His
adventurous journey in this world ended once and for all. Tony, the courageous
fighter could not win the battle against lung cancer. All of a sudden, the
magic of listening to cricket commentary vanished.
Of course, Harsha Bhogle and Mark Nicholas do give the fans
the kind of flavour like Tony Greig at times, but still today, a cricket fan,
who grew up listening to Tony’s commentary, keeps on searching for the voice
which welcomed him warmly and became a part of his emotions.
As a cricketer, Grieg was a fearsome competitor. He hated to
lose and never stepped back from attacking. Orthodox thinking was never his way
of approaching his game and life. And
for which, he was able to create a long lasting impact on the game. Four years
ago, on this day, world cricket lost its friendliest of voices and sharp
thinkers.
He will forever be missed.
Note: This
article has been published at Sportskeeda on 29/12/2016 Tony Greig: The friendly voice which is still missed a lot
Thank You
Faisal Caesar
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