Former England captain Tony Greig will deliver the 2012 MCC Spirit of Cricket Cowdrey Lecture at Lord’s on Tuesday. Tony who was busy in doing commentary in the Sri Lanka-Pakistan Test match went back to London as he is committed to deliver his lecture today. When asked in London, that whether he would narrate the infamous run out involving himself and Alvin Kallicharran in a Test Match in 1974, he did not replied.
It was on the second day of the first test match at the Queen’s Park Oval in Trinidad, the Windies had build a first innings lead of 143, mainly due to 142 not out from the great Kallicharran. With four wickets intact, the WI team was in a great position until the last ball of the day was bowled to Bernard Julien, who sent it past Greig, who was fielding at close-in position and then both the batsmen headed off to the pavilion. Greig got hold of the ball, threw down the stumps appealing for running out Kallicharran. Umpire Douglas Sang Hue had no option but to give him out. Suddenly a riot erupted, crowd ran into the ground demanding the decision to be revoked. Technically, the decision was correct as the umpires had not yet called the day off but Greig’s actions were considered unsporting. The England captain revoked the appeal and Kallicharran was reinstated the following day.
At least one man will be keen to listen what Tony Greig says on Tuesday. Speaking exclusively from his Jamiaca home, the 81-year-old former umpire said: “Greig’s appeal was technically correct, but certainly against the Spirit of the Game”.
“As an umpire I have always believed in consistency, if a player took what appeared to be an low catch, and is given out by the umpire. The fielder then says that I did not take the catch”. Should the umpire insist that he was out? What’s the difference? Grieg acted within the law thus “it would be unfair for me to pass my judgment on him now,” he added.
