First Underarm Bowling Scandal

The underarm bowling scandal unfolded on February 1, 1981, when Australia's Greg Chappell instructed his brother Trevor to bowl underarm against New Zealand, making it nearly impossible for Brian McKechnie to hit the six he needed to tie the match. The tactic was technically legal but widely condemned, even by both nations' prime ministers. Commentator Richie Benaud famously called it "gutless," and the ICC ultimately banned underarm bowling from all international cricket. There's much more to this story than you'd expect.

Key Takeaways

• Greg Chappell controversially instructed his brother Trevor to bowl underarm, making it nearly impossible for Brian McKechnie to hit the required six.
• The underarm delivery was technically legal at the time but widely condemned as unsportsmanlike, prompting the ICC to permanently ban the tactic.
• Both Australia's and New Zealand's prime ministers publicly condemned the incident, highlighting its extraordinary political and cultural impact.
• Commentator Richie Benaud famously called the underarm bowl "gutless," capturing the widespread outrage felt across the cricketing world.
• Greg Chappell later admitted it was a spur-of-the-moment decision, though it permanently damaged both his and Trevor's cricketing legacies.

Australia Vs New Zealand, 1 February 1981: How the Match Reached That Final Ball

The 1981 World Series Cup final was a best-of-five series between Australia and New Zealand, with the third match taking place at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on 1 February 1981. Australia batted first, posting 235 runs for 4 wickets, with Greg Chappell contributing 90 runs before Bruce Edgar caught him out.

New Zealand's dramatic comeback bid hinged on Edgar's gritty 102 runs. However, entering the final over at 229 runs with 8 wickets down, they still needed 7 runs to win.

The over's first five balls produced a boundary, two LBW dismissals, and two twos, setting up a nail-biting climax. Brian McKechnie now faced the final ball needing a six just to tie, which would've forced a replay under existing rules. It was at this moment that Greg Chappell instructed his brother Trevor to bowl underarm along the pitch, making it virtually impossible for McKechnie to hit the required six.

What Actually Happened on That Infamous Underarm Delivery

With McKechnie needing a six off the final ball just to force a tie, Greg Chappell made the fateful decision to instruct his brother Trevor to bowl underarm. Trevor rolled the ball slowly along the ground toward the stumps, eliminating any possibility of elevation. Umpires and McKechnie received proper notification of the style change beforehand, making it technically legal yet one of cricket's most notorious unsportsmanlike tactics.

McKechnie blocked the delivery, then threw his bat down in frustration. New Zealand's batsmen walked off in disgust as captain Geoff Howarth protested immediately to the umpires. Australia secured a 6-run victory before 52,990 spectators at Melbourne Cricket Ground.

That single delivery ignited international controversy, drawing condemnation from both nations' prime ministers and commentators worldwide. Former Australian captain Richie Benaud, commenting live on television, did not mince words when he called the underarm bowl "gutless." The incident has since been regarded as the biggest scar on the reputation of Australian cricket, haunting Trevor Chappell mentally for decades after.

Greg Chappell Gave the Order: And One Teammate Objected

As Australian captain, Greg Chappell had absolute authority over tactical decisions—and he used it to instruct his younger brother Trevor to bowl that final ball underarm. Trevor complied, rolling the ball along the pitch and forcing batsman Brian McKechnie into a purely defensive response. But not everyone accepted this tactically dubious decision making without protest.

Ian Chappell, the eldest brother and former Australian captain, was commentating live when he instinctively called out, "No, Greg, no, you can't do that." His real-time objection carried genuine weight—he understood cricket's unwritten code better than most. Ian later reinforced his criticism through a newspaper article, and the bitterness between brothers became public. Someone with Ian's authority and experience couldn't stay silent watching the game's spirit get dismantled in real time. The underarm delivery was contrary to the spirit of the game, even if it was technically legal at the time.

The Underarm Incident Backlash: From the Dressing Room to Two Prime Ministers

When the final ball rolled along the pitch, it triggered a shockwave that spread far beyond the boundary. The public reaction to controversy was immediate and fierce.

New Zealand's dressing room fell into stunned silence before Mark Burgess smashed a teacup against the wall. Warren Lees described the atmosphere as livid and cheated.

Commentators didn't hold back either. Ian Chappell shouted objections live on air, while Richie Benaud called it one of the worst things he'd seen on a cricket field.

Both nations' prime ministers condemned the act. New Zealand's Robert Muldoon labeled it cowardice, while Australia's Malcolm Fraser called it contrary to the game's traditions. The lasting impact on Australia New Zealand rivalry proved deep, reshaping how both nations viewed each other competitively.

Greg Chappell, seeking to escape the furious crowd, was forced into a 100-metre dash to leave the field after the match concluded.

The incident, which took place on 1 February 1981, left such a lasting stain on the sport that underarm bowling was subsequently outlawed from cricket entirely.

How One Delivery Got Underarm Bowling Banned From International Cricket

The ICC's response was swift and unambiguous: underarm bowling was banned from all official international matches. You can trace this prohibition directly to Trevor Chappell's single delivery on February 1, 1981. The ICC added the ban to cricket's laws, explicitly citing that underarm tactics weren't within the sport's spirit. It's remarkable how one calculated roll along a pitch forced a complete rewrite of international cricket regulations.

Beyond the rule change, you should also consider the impact on McKechnie's career, as he's forever linked to this moment of controversy rather than his actual abilities. Match fixing concerns also surfaced, given Australia's $35,000 prize at stake. Greg Chappell's decision ultimately cost cricket its integrity that day, compelling authorities to guarantee no team could ever exploit this loophole again. The incident occurred at the MCG between Australia and New Zealand, making it the most explosive moment in the two nations' sporting rivalry.

Why the Underarm Incident Still Defines Australian Cricket

Decades later, why does a single underarm delivery still haunt Australian cricket's reputation? Its lasting impact on cricket culture runs deeper than rule changes. The incident didn't just redefine inter country sporting rivalries — it exposed a willingness to prioritize winning over sportsmanship.

You can trace the damage through Greg Chappell's own reflections. He admits it wasn't one of his better moments, a spur-of-the-moment decision that permanently shaped both his and Trevor's legacies. A young girl grabbing his sleeve and calling him a cheater says everything about how instantly the public judged it.

Decades on, documentaries still revisit it, players still discuss it, and New Zealand still defines a significant part of its cricket identity against it. That's not just controversy — that's a defining cultural wound.