The Underarm Incident 1981: Cricket's Most Controversial Moment
On 1 February 1981 in Melbourne, Australia's Greg Chappell instructed his brother Trevor to bowl the final ball underarm, rolling it along the ground to prevent New Zealand's Brian McKechnie from hitting a six to tie the match — a legal but infamous act that damaged cricket's reputation and international relations.
Cricket has produced many controversies — match fixing, ball tampering, umpiring disputes — but few moments have caused such immediate, universal outrage as the underarm delivery of 1 February 1981. On a February Sunday in Melbourne, with New Zealand needing a six off the last ball to tie the Benson & Hedges World Series Cup final, Australian captain Greg Chappell instructed his brother Trevor to bowl the ball underarm — rolling it along the ground — making a six impossible.
The Context
Australia were defending champions in this tri-series and needed to win. New Zealand were 229 for 8, needing 6 from the final ball to tie. Greg Chappell calculated that a six was possible and chose to eliminate the possibility through legal means. Underarm bowling was not explicitly prohibited in the rules at the time — though it was governed by the 'spirit of cricket' provisions that the Laws had not yet formalised.
The Immediate Reaction
The reaction was swift and overwhelmingly negative. New Zealand's Prime Minister Robert Muldoon condemned it. Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Fraser called it 'contrary to the spirit of the game.' Even Richie Benaud — legendary Australian captain — described it as 'a cowardly act.' Greg Chappell later apologised. Trevor Chappell, who bowled the delivery, has struggled with the association for decades.
The Rule Change
The incident prompted an immediate rule change. Underarm bowling was banned from all limited-overs cricket, subsequently codified in the Laws of Cricket. The Laws also clarified that a bowler must notify the umpire if they intend to bowl differently. The incident became a touchstone for discussions of cricket's spirit — the unwritten code of fair play that sits alongside the formal Laws.
Legacy
The underarm incident is one of the most discussed moments in sporting ethics. Greg Chappell has argued that he was under enormous pressure and made a poor decision in the heat of the moment. The broader lesson — that winning by the letter of the law while violating its spirit can permanently damage a player's reputation — resonates well beyond cricket.
Frequently asked questions
Was underarm bowling legal in 1981?
Yes — it was not explicitly prohibited at the time, though it violated the spirit of cricket. The incident prompted an immediate rule change banning underarm bowling in limited-overs cricket.
What happened to Brian McKechnie after the underarm ball?
McKechnie, needing a six to tie the match, threw down his bat when the underarm ball was rolled to him — there was nothing he could do. New Zealand did not score and Australia won.
Did Greg Chappell apologise for the underarm incident?
Yes — Chappell later apologised for the incident, saying he should not have given the instruction. It remains the most regretted decision of his captaincy career.