The Underarm Incident of 1981: A Dark Chapter in Cricket's History

Cricket, often regarded as a game played in the spirit of fair competition and sportsmanship, has been defined not just by its thrilling performances but by its unwritten codes of honor. These codes have, over time, helped to elevate the sport beyond the boundaries of simple rivalry, turning it into a celebration of respect between players, officials, and fans alike. However, on February 1, 1981, the spirit of cricket was shattered by an event that still remains one of the most controversial and reviled moments in the game’s history—the underarm delivery bowled by Trevor Chappell in the final match of the World Series Cricket tournament between Australia and New Zealand.

This infamous act not only tarnished the reputation of the Australian team but also ignited an international uproar that forever altered the landscape of cricket, leading to rule changes that banned underarm bowling and prompting widespread reflection on the ethics of the sport. The legacy of this event remains a potent reminder of how one moment of poor decision-making can eclipse an entire career.

The Build-Up: A Tense Contest with Growing Tensions

The 1980–81 World Series Cricket final was a hard-fought, high-stakes series, with the teams tied 1–1 going into the final match. It had all the ingredients for a classic cricket showdown: the underdog New Zealand taking on the mighty Australians, the drama of a series at its conclusion, and players who were under immense pressure.

Greg Chappell, the Australian captain, was no stranger to high-pressure situations, yet the final match of the series saw him make decisions that were to be questioned both in real-time and in hindsight. The game had already been marked by a contentious moment earlier on.

During Australia’s innings, Greg Chappell had been dismissed in an extraordinary catch by New Zealand’s Martin Snedden. Snedden leapt to his right in the outfield, seemingly plucking the ball out of thin air, and initially, it was ruled a catch. Legendary commentator Richie Benaud, observing from the commentary box, praised it as one of the best catches he had ever seen. However, the umpires, unassisted by the benefit of TV replays, decided that Snedden had not caught the ball cleanly. This caused confusion among players and fans alike, as slow-motion replays showed that Snedden had clearly made a legitimate catch.

Chappell, who had reached 58 at the time, was allowed to continue his innings. Though Chappell later went on to score 90 runs, the scene was already set for the kind of drama that would engulf the final moments of the match.

The Final Over: A Moment of Miscalculation and Cowardice

By the time the final over arrived, the match had become a tight contest. New Zealand required six runs from the final delivery to tie the game. However, Greg Chappell, facing the reality of a potentially game-deciding moment, made an extraordinary decision. Fearing that the New Zealand tail-end batsman, Brian McKechnie, might launch a six and win the match, Chappell ordered his brother, Trevor Chappell, to bowl underarm.

Underarm bowling, although technically legal at the time, had long been considered a tactic that violated the spirit of the game. It was archaic, uncompetitive, and contrary to the idea that cricket should always be played with a sense of fair contest, particularly at the game’s most critical moments. But Greg Chappell, in a moment of panic and frustration, chose to roll the ball along the pitch with his younger brother’s help, preventing McKechnie from being able to strike the ball with any real power.

The delivery was as anti-climactic as it was controversial. As Trevor Chappell rolled the ball underarm towards McKechnie, the New Zealand batsman blocked it defensively and tossed his bat away in frustration. There was no heroic last-ball boundary, no dramatic display of athleticism—just a hollow, unsporting end to a fiercely contested match. Australia had won by six runs, but the victory felt tainted, and the New Zealand players walked off the field not as competitors but as wronged victims of a disgraceful maneuver.

The Public Outcry: A National Crisis

In the aftermath of the underarm incident, the response from both the cricketing world and the general public was swift and scathing. New Zealand’s Prime Minister, Robert Muldoon, labeled the incident “the most disgusting” he had ever seen in the history of cricket, calling the act “an act of true cowardice.” His comments were a clear reflection of the widespread anger felt in New Zealand, where the public was appalled not only by the nature of the act but by the fact that it had occurred in a high-profile international match. Muldoon also pointed out the irony that the Australian team was wearing yellow uniforms, which further emphasized the perceived "cowardice" of the underarm tactic.

In Australia, the reaction was less uniform, but even the Prime Minister, Malcolm Fraser, distanced himself from the actions of his national team, describing the underarm delivery as “contrary to all the traditions of the game.” The press and the cricketing community were divided, with some defending the legality of the action and others condemning it as a violation of cricket's spirit and ethics.

On the field, the New Zealand players were visibly upset. Inside the dressing room, Warren Lees recounted the long silence that followed the match. This was broken when Mark Burgess, in a fit of rage, smashed a tea cup against the wall. The team felt violated, cheated of a fair contest. It was not just the loss that hurt—it was the feeling that they had been denied a chance at victory by an act that had no place in the game.

The Aftermath: Reflections on Responsibility and Legacy

The underarm incident marked a turning point in Greg Chappell’s career. Although he had been a highly successful cricketer, the act became his legacy, overshadowing his many achievements on the field. In the years that followed, Chappell admitted that he had been physically and emotionally exhausted during the match. Having spent most of the game under the scorching Australian sun, bowling ten overs and scoring 90 runs, Chappell was at his wits’ end when he made the decision.

Yet, the underlying question remained: did exhaustion justify such an unethical decision? Chappell himself has claimed that, in hindsight, he was not fit to lead Australia during that match, acknowledging that his frustration and stress ultimately led to a poor decision.

In a similar vein, Trevor Chappell, who carried out his brother’s orders, has remained somewhat silent about the incident. Despite the fact that Trevor’s career was forever marked by the underarm delivery, he has rarely spoken of it publicly, and when he does, it is usually with discomfort. Unlike his brother, who has apologized and reflected on the incident, Trevor seems burdened by the fact that his role in the episode has defined him in the eyes of the cricketing world.

The Rule Change: A Direct Response to the Incident

The immediate fallout from the underarm delivery led the International Cricket Council (ICC) to act swiftly. The incident highlighted the need for a formal prohibition of underarm bowling, and in 1982, underarm bowling was officially banned in all forms of international cricket. This rule change was a direct response to the incident, signifying that while the delivery had been legal at the time, it was wholly unacceptable within the values of the game.

In the years that followed, the incident became a point of reference, not just for the injustice done to New Zealand but for the importance of maintaining the spirit of cricket. Sir Richard Hadlee, in 1993, humorously bowled an underarm delivery during a charity match, to the laughter of the crowd, acknowledging the absurdity of the once-legal tactic. In 2005, Glenn McGrath mimicked an underarm delivery during a Twenty20 match between Australia and New Zealand, bringing the moment back into public consciousness in a lighter vein.

A Legacy of Shame and Reflection

Though the underarm incident has since become the subject of jokes, advertisements, and even parodies, its core remains a reminder of how easily the integrity of a sport can be compromised. Cricket is a game that thrives on tradition, and moments like the underarm delivery challenge the essence of those traditions.

For Greg and Trevor Chappell, the underarm delivery was a moment that changed the course of their careers. Despite their sporting prowess, it remains the event most closely associated with their names. For New Zealand, the incident remains a scar that serves as a reminder of how sportsmanship was sacrificed in a desperate bid for victory.

Ultimately, the underarm incident of 1981 is more than just a footnote in cricket history—it is a lesson in the fragility of the sport’s ethical foundations. Cricket, in its finest moments, is a celebration of skill, integrity, and competition. The underarm incident stands as a stark reminder that, in the pursuit of victory, one must never lose sight of the true spirit of the game.

Thank You 

Faisal Caesar