Trevor Chappell has gone down in history as the last man to bowl
underarm in international cricket. We know he will be the last because
the grubber was banned immediately after he and brother Greg had nearly
caused an international incident. It happened at Melbourne in February
1981 in the final of that summer¹s World Series. The youngest Chappell
came on to bowl the last over with New Zealand needing 15 to win.
Richard Hadlee drove his first ball for 4 and was given out lbw to the
second. Ian Smith his two 2s before being bowled. Brian McKechnie, an
All Black rugby full-back as well as international cricketer, needed 6
off the last ball to tie the match.
Trevor, on instructions from captain
Greg, bowled it along the ground so McKechnie could not hit it into the
air. Just as they said Greg Chappell would be a better batsman than his
elder brother, so they said Trevor, the youngest of the brood, would be
the best of all - In Trevor's case it was wishful thinking. He made his
debut for South Australia in 1972-3 and also played for Western
Australia and New South Wales. He stuck with his brothers when they
joined Packer's World Series and spent most of it playing up-country
matches with the Australian 2nd XI. He was a surprise choice for the
1981 Ashes team and his best score was 27 in Botham's match at
Headingley. Chappell was a member of the 1983 World Cup team, scoring
110 against India at Trent Bridge. (Bob Harragan) |