Rest in Peace Tony Greig

[Adelaide Hawk]

I love Ian Chappell's story of Tony Greig in the 1st Test at the Gabba. Australia batted first and when Lillee came in, Greig bowled a number of bouncers, knowing full well he would cop it back.

Lillee was fired up, and he and Thomson let Greig have it. As we all know, Greig made 110. When the Aussies were discussing tactics for England's 2nd Innings, Chappell turned to the two quicks and said, "Any chance of you guys actually trying to get Greig out rather than knocking his head off"?

 

[Roughies Boys]

RIP - Tony Greig - This is a devastating loss!

 

[juice t]

I went to The Big Bash game at the WACA on saturday and they had a nice tribute for Greigy before the game, and on a lesser note they had a memorial for all the keys that were lost during his pitch reports... There was a hilarious interview Tony did with Norman Gunston back in the 70s when he was asked "You've been described as an all-rounder, a good all-rounder. What's your favourite sport?" classic.

 

[Ray Nolan]

RIP Tony Greig, an absolute legend on the pitch & in the commentary box.

You will be sorely missed.

 

[Bombermania]

Very sad! there is something to respect about a man that is willingness to take a risk as Greig did in joining World Series Cricket.

I will miss his cheeky dismissal of Melbourne weather and his knowledge of the game.

The weather wall was a great feature in its day and of course his pitch reports and the Key in the pitch.

 

[1980GFVideo]

Just dont get from the new breed of commentators, the same rapport as you got between Greiggy and Lawry or Greiggy and Chappelli.

Chappelli and Tony never got along as opposing captains but I suspect that they got along fine when working together. Always a little bit of those competetive times crept into their talk.

New blokes dont really match up for me. Learning their craft and getting better but just dont have what the older guys had.

 

[RussellEbertHandball]

I suspect Billy Birmingham is missing him.

It took me many years before I recognised that Greig actually could laugh at himself. For most of that first decade after WSC ended and he went to the commentary box it seemed like he was either an angry bloke or that he deliberately played the role of antagonising the Aussies - ie other commentators, players and we the viewers. But it seemed around the time Alan Border became the established captain and Australia won the 1987 WC that I noticed a change and he became more fun. Maybe it was Billy Birmingham's first 12th man record in 1987 that Greigy decided to join in with the fun side of things on air.

I remember in the early to mid 1990's Ansett were sponsors of 9's cricket coverage. Greigy was spruiking how fantastic they were. Greigy and Ian Chappell were commentating and Greigy was going off about them. (Read in your best Greigy accent) -" Ansett are a fantastic airline, the service at the counter and then on the plane is second to none, and when you finally get to your destination, by the time you get off the plane and walk to the baggage area, your bags are taken off the plane and are ready for you to pick up and and away you go as soon as you get to the carosel." The bowler then bowls the ball, he fields it and walks back to his mark. Chappelli then chimes in with "Gee Greigy that would be the first time a South African has ever carried his own bag." A short pause as medium pacer runs in and bowls. I'm thinking bloody hell, given their past experiences, he is going to really ark up and sledge Chappelli back with some vitriol. But no, after the ball goes thru to the keeper you can just hear him pissing himself laughing in the background and laughs so long he misses commentating on a couple of delivieries.

 

[Harmichael]

I suspect Billy Birmingham is missing him.

It took me many years before I recognised that Greig actually could laugh at himself. For most of that first decade after WSC ended and he went to the commentary box it seemed like he was either an angry bloke or that he deliberately played the role of antagonising the Aussies - ie other commentators, players and we the viewers. But it seemed around the time Alan Border became the established captain and Australia won the 1987 WC that I noticed a change and he became more fun. Maybe it was Billy Birmingham's first 12th man record in 1987 that Greigy decided to join in with the fun side of things on air.

I remember in the early to mid 1990's Ansett were sponsors of 9's cricket coverage. Greigy was spruiking how fantastic they were. Greigy and Ian Chappell were commentating and Greigy was going off about them. (Read in your best Greigy accent) -" Ansett are a fantastic airline, the service at the counter and then on the plane is second to none, and when you finally get to your destination, by the time you get off the plane and walk to the baggage area, your bags are taken off the plane and are ready for you to pick up and and away you go as soon as you get to the carosel." The bowler then bowls the ball, he fields it and walks back to his mark. Chappelli then chimes in with "Gee Greigy that would be the first time a South African has ever carried his own bag." A short pause as medium pacer runs in and bowls. I'm thinking bloody hell, given their past experiences, he is going to really ark up and sledge Chappelli back with some vitriol. But no, after the ball goes thru to the keeper you can just hear him pissing himself laughing in the background and laughs so long he misses commentating on a couple of delivieries.

Jeez, imagine the outcry from the p.c. brigade of the professionally outraged & permanently offended if he'd said that now.

 

[Gough]

Jeez, imagine the outcry from the p.c. brigade of the professionally outraged & permanently offended if he'd said that now.

No outrage man, any one who has been to SA knows how close to the truth that is, it's a tribute to Greig that he was able to laugh about it. Apartheid was still a comparatively raw topic amongst South Africans back then.

 

[western royboy]

I suspect Billy Birmingham is missing him.

It took me many years before I recognised that Greig actually could laugh at himself. For most of that first decade after WSC ended and he went to the commentary box it seemed like he was either an angry bloke or that he deliberately played the role of antagonising the Aussies - ie other commentators, players and we the viewers. But it seemed around the time Alan Border became the established captain and Australia won the 1987 WC that I noticed a change and he became more fun. Maybe it was Billy Birmingham's first 12th man record in 1987 that Greigy decided to join in with the fun side of things on air.

I remember in the early to mid 1990's Ansett were sponsors of 9's cricket coverage. Greigy was spruiking how fantastic they were. Greigy and Ian Chappell were commentating and Greigy was going off about them. (Read in your best Greigy accent) -" Ansett are a fantastic airline, the service at the counter and then on the plane is second to none, and when you finally get to your destination, by the time you get off the plane and walk to the baggage area, your bags are taken off the plane and are ready for you to pick up and and away you go as soon as you get to the carosel." The bowler then bowls the ball, he fields it and walks back to his mark. Chappelli then chimes in with "Gee Greigy that would be the first time a South African has ever carried his own bag." A short pause as medium pacer runs in and bowls. I'm thinking bloody hell, given their past experiences, he is going to really ark up and sledge Chappelli back with some vitriol. But no, after the ball goes thru to the keeper you can just hear him pissing himself laughing in the background and laughs so long he misses commentating on a couple of delivieries.

I went to a VCA season launch some years back that featured Tony & Bill as guest speakers - it was a classic day. Both heaped praise on Billy Birmingham for extending their careers and loved his work. In between some serious analysis they took the piss out of themselves at regular intervals and it was just great to be there to hear them speak in total honesty. Not much love for Chappelli from either and they revered Richie.

What I would give for a release from official memorabilia of Tony's trademark SP Flatback Gloves. Gee I loved them and I've been trying to get another pair for twenty years or more.

On a serious note Rest in Peace Tony - A Giant of the Game on and off field.

 

[Gough]

I went to a VCA season launch some years back that featured Tony & Bill as guest speakers - it was a classic day. Both heaped praise on Billy Birmingham for extending their careers and loved his work. In between some serious analysis they took the piss out of themselves at regular intervals and it was just great to be there to hear them speak in total honesty. Not much love for Chappelli from either and they revered Richie.

What I would give for a release from official memorabilia of Tony's trademark SP Flatback Gloves. Gee I loved them and I've been trying to get another pair for twenty years or more.

On a serious note Rest in Peace Tony - A Giant of the Game on and off field.

When I was a kid I wanted a pair of them so much. I remember on an Antiques Roadshow a couple of years back one of those early "motorbike" style helmets appeared. I was surprised they only valued it at 400 quid.

 

[western royboy]

When I was a kid I wanted a pair of them so much. I remember on an Antiques Roadshow a couple of years back one of those early "motorbike" style helmets appeared. I was surprised they only valued it at 400 quid.

I loved them so much, they were so soft and I literally wore them to death. I turned up at sub district level with them and got laughed at but still I persisted. Eventually I had to start thinking about my hands a bit and they gave way. Surely some boffin in an Indian factory can whip up a few thousand units in Tony's memory.

 

[Gough]

I loved them so much, they were so soft and I literally wore them to death. I turned up at sub district level with them and got laughed at but still I persisted. Eventually I had to start thinking about my hands a bit and they gave way. Surely some boffin in an Indian factory can whip up a few thousand units in Tony's memory.

Tried to find a picture of that old SP ad when he is wearing a his cricket gear only, but it appears that it has been purged from the internet. Michael Clarke wasn't the first cricketer to appear half naked for the sake of advertising.

 

[western royboy]

Tried to find a picture of that old SP ad when he is wearing a his cricket gear only, but it appears that it has been purged from the internet. Michael Clarke wasn't the first cricketer to appear half naked for the sake of advertising.

Nicky Bucley did the female version for straight six here many years ago which was hot, hot, hot.

This the best I could find.

 

[psychobrown]

Yes, I admit it has been weird not hearing him this summer. That team was the voice of cricket for me, so this is all part of the sad realization that things aren't forever. I remember that banter he had with Ian Chappell about luggage. I think they also had an exchange either last summer or the one before (can't remember) during a drinks break in an interview with Nicholas, Tony Greig was talking about meeting some Indian dude and helping with the luggage at an airport in SAfrica or something (don't recall the precise details of the conversation) but Ian Chappell chimed in with "To be fair, you did have slaves in those days, Greigy" to which Tony Greig quipped "Yes, and you always made good use of them". Mark Nicholas went tomato-faced and rose an inch in his chair, good times.

 

[western royboy]

Yes, I admit it has been weird not hearing him this summer. That team was the voice of cricket for me, so this is all part of the sad realization that things aren't forever. I remember that banter he had with Ian Chappell about luggage. I think they also had an exchange either last summer or the one before (can't remember) during a drinks break in an interview with Nicholas, Tony Greig was talking about meeting some Indian dude and helping with the luggage at an airport in SAfrica or something (don't recall the precise details of the conversation) but Ian Chappell chimed in with "To be fair, you did have slaves in those days, Greigy" to which Tony Greig quipped "Yes, and you always made good use of them". Mark Nicholas went tomato-faced and rose an inch in his chair, good times.

For me the mail order bride quip about the wedding at the Cathedral in Adelaide will be hard to top.

 

[BigFella1981]

RIP Tony Greig - Your voice when you were commentating is in my head since this morning when I found out. Condolances to the Greig family.

 

[MG MG]

Whenever I imagine a moment, Greiggy is who I hear commentating.

 

[Gough]

My heart broke for Greigy's young bloke today, to lose your Dad at 12 must be hard enough, without having to share your grief with the rest of the country. Kid did his Dad proud today, and whatever consolation it must be to him and his kin, at least they know how much Australia loved their old man too.

 

[Partridge]

RIP Tony Greig.

You were a very brave man in taking on the establishment at the MCC when World Series Cricket was formed. Your efforts will be never be forgotten by cricket players of today and the future.

I will miss the keys in the pitch and your baiting of Bill Lawry.

Don't forget the hundred he scored against Lillee and Thomson in 1974 at the Gabba. Not only was it before helmets, he also helpfully signalled every four he hit to both bowlers. That's either brave or insane.

Very good player and wonderful servant of the game.

 

[djrossie16]

My heart broke for Greigy's young bloke today, to lose your Dad at 12 must be hard enough, without having to share your grief with the rest of the country. Kid did his Dad proud today, and whatever consolation it must be to him and his kin, at least they know how much Australia loved their old man too.

Must admit I felt pretty sad whenever I saw that kid on the tv.

 

[worbod]

After England had bowled Australia out for 138 in their first innings of the Centenary Test, Greig was quoted at the end of the day as saying something along the lines of, "I'll never forget this day as long as I live, even if I live to be 95." The exact quote is in the book "Pitched Battles" by Christopher Forsyth. On the second day of course, England were bowled out for 95. At the end of the third day, Rod Marsh was sitting on 95 not out.

 

[damochandler]

he's left handed you dosey twit

 

[the_interloper]

Don't forget the hundred he scored against Lillee and Thomson in 1974 at the Gabba. Not only was it before helmets, he also helpfully signalled every four he hit to both bowlers. That's either brave or insane.

Very good player and wonderful servant of the game.

I'll never forget that century he made at the Gabba.

 

[mark73]

Tony was from the generation that thought "PC" stood for "police constable"

I had to quote this comment because it was true.