Greig was born in Queenstown, Eastern Cape, South Africa. He was educated at George Watson's College,
Edinburgh, Queen's College, Queenstown and Downing College, Cambridge. Although a South African,
Greig was allowed to play for England because his father was Scottish.
Whilst at Cambridge, Greig played
both rugby union and cricket. He represented Cambridge in The Varsity Match in 1977 and 1978, and won
blues for cricket in 1977-78-79.
| |
Date |
Test |
Venue |
Opp. |
1st Inns |
2nd Inns |
Batting |
Ct |
Result |
| |
29/07/82 |
1 |
Birmingham |
Pak |
14.2-3-53-4 |
4-1-19-0 |
14 & 7 |
0 |
Won |
| |
12/08/82 |
2 |
Lord's |
Pak |
13-2-42-0 |
dnb |
3 & 2 |
0 |
Lost |
Summary of all matches
| M |
Runs |
HS |
Ave |
100s |
50s |
W |
BB |
Ave |
5w |
Ct |
| 2 |
26 |
14 |
6.50 |
0 |
0 |
4 |
4-53 |
28.50 |
0 |
0 |
Ian Greig played one-day cricket as an all rounder for Sussex County Cricket Club in 1979 before making
his first-class debut for the team in 1980. His career with Sussex lasted until 1985. His most successful season
for Sussex was in 1981, when he scored 911 runs (average 30.36), and took 76 wickets at 19.32. In 1982,
the English selectors chose him as a replacement for the injured Derek Pringle to face Pakistan in two test matches.
Sussex released Greig, and others, in 1985 as part of cost-cutting measures, and Greig emigrated to Australia.
However, he joined Surrey County Cricket Club, and captained the team between 1987 and 1991. Greig's highest
score of 291 came in 1990 in a total of 707 at The Oval; Lancashire replied with 863, Neil Fairbrother top scoring
with 366, the then highest ever score at The Oval.