Australia's day of shame on the cricket pitch
By Judy Evans
@JudyEv (382693)
Rockingham, Australia
July 7, 2025 7:13pm CST
We’ve been on two road trips recently, both quite short. Soon after we set off on the first one, we realised we had very little cash with us. The only pin number Vin could remember was for Bendigo Bank. We weren’t likely to need any cash but our small dilemma did solve the problem of where we should go next.
The nearest Bendigo Bank was in Kulin, home of the Tin Horse Highway which I’ve already written about. So off we went to Kulin. The photo brings to mind a sporting incident that is hugely shameful to most Australians.
In 1981, Australia and New Zealand were playing a One Day International cricket match. With one ball left to play, NZ needed a six to tie the match. Australia’s captain, Greg Chappell instructed his brother, Trevor, to bowl underarm along the ground. The batsman was unable to play the shot meaning Australia won. Although the manoeuvre was legal, it was seen as totally against the cricketing code of fair play. It caused a furore in the papers.
The image depicts the bowler (yellow) bowling underarm to the batter.
9 people like this
9 responses
@abhi_bangal (7679)
• Ahmednagar, India
8 Jul
@JudyEv Chappell had certainly feared, what if the batsman hits for a six? Yes, Australia wouldn't have lost. But then they wouldn't have won either.
3 people like this
@abhi_bangal (7679)
• Ahmednagar, India
8 Jul
Don't mind. But the Aussies were once called unfavorite champions. The Sydney Test against India... All know. Ponting claiming a catch in one match giving the player out, but standing his ground... There are a lot of examples.
They should play in the true spirit of the game. Be it any country.
2 people like this
@abhi_bangal (7679)
• Ahmednagar, India
8 Jul
@JudyEv Very right. But not everyone thinks as you do.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (382693)
• Rockingham, Australia
8 Jul
@abhi_bangal A lot of Australians thought the same on that day. It took long time to live it down.
1 person likes this
@Ineeddentures (35521)
•
9 Jul
I remember that
The result was the important thing
They did what they had to do to win
And it was not cheating
So I disagree it was shameful
I would have bowled a whole over like that to stop the other team winning
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (382693)
• Rockingham, Australia
9 Jul
@Ineeddentures I don't think the fans were happy. We didn't consider it 'cricket'. 
1 person likes this
@Ineeddentures (35521)
•
9 Jul
@JudyEv
Oh Judy.
Sometimes sportsmanship has to take a back seat for the greater good.
The result would have made Australian cricket fans very happy.
And that last ball bowled delivered the victory( excuse the pun)
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (382693)
• Rockingham, Australia
9 Jul
It would be another very black mark against the colonials! lol
