TONY GREIG: "PLAYING CRICKET WAS AN ONGOING PLEASURE"

CHRIS STONOR SPOKE WITH TONY GREIG BACK IN 2012

Today, should have been Tony Greig’s 70th birthday but his life was cut short on December 29th, 2012 at the young age of 66 years-old. He had been diagnosed with lung cancer two months previously yet died of a suspected heart-attack whilst at the St Vincent Hospital in Sydney. Given the suddenness of his death, it came as a shock to the cricketing community. How could someone so vital die so young?

While a controversial figure throughout his life where some traditionalists had never forgiven him for his Kerry Packer ‘travesty’, professional cricketers owe Greig a huge debt of gratitude for without him, their escalating salaries compared to previous generations, might never have happened.

I met Tony Greig on a Saturday during July 2012 at the Ditchling CC ground. He had been invited by the Sussex CCC hierarchy to look around the redeveloped Hove, County Ground and afterwards attend a charity game at the village, some 15 minutes drive up the road. Ditchling CC were playing a Sussex XI to raise money for St Peter & St James Hospice as well as the Sussex Cricket in the Community Trust.

My interview was a rather impromptu affair. It had not been arranged via an agent but by turning up and asking a club official if Greig could be notified. Fortunately, he accepted my invitation but stipulated it would be brief - 15 minutes brief. He even checked his watch during our conversation.

My interview was one of the last Greig carried out with the cricket media before his untimely death. At the time, he had caused typical Greig controversy after showing great courage in criticising the Indian BCCI during a 'Colin Cowdrey Lecture' at Lord’s earlier in the year. Later, I’d heard rumours that his speech had upset some powerful people.

http://www.espncricinfo.com/mcc/content/story/570147.html

Four years on, some of his answers are almost visionary in nature. Like other past great cricketers, Greig never fitted comfortably within the sport’s mindset. He was a forward-thinker who while appreciating tradition believed in a constant need to develop the game for its survival. And why the traditionalists never felt comfortable around Greig as he was a proven major catalyst for change. I am sure, if alive today, Tony Greig would be fully supporting the ECB and their proposed City-based tournament. 

Given the growing success of the IPL can you envision a similar English Premier League in the future?

I believe it’s only a matter of time. I would also like to see the West Indies and Ireland be involved. I would like to see the IPL embrace more Asian teams. It’s all about the money; that is what’s driving cricket. I still feel there is room for more Test cricket. Most importantly, we shouldn’t be fearful of T20 Franchises. They allow more countries to gain money from the sport; but we mustn’t allow the IPL to dominate. The T20 format is still very young. We need to find a healthy balance between this format and others like Tests. The Test match graph is very level. I can see the ODIs being cut back. They will need to be sacrificed a little but the hard part is to get everyone to agree. There should be a minimum number of Tests played in a series like 3 along with say 5 ODIs and 5 T20s home and away.

How do you see an EPL working when there are 18 county clubs?

That is a difficult question to answer. Each county will want to participate but I don’t believe that is possible. That is what the Indians got right. They threw out their old traditions to make the IPL work and be city-based. I can see smaller towns wanting to get involved especially in the Bangladesh and Sri Lanka tournaments. Perhaps, there will be two divisions in the IPL.

Do you believe T20 is a novelty where interest will wane?

I don’t think we know. You need to watch the graph and see. Cricket is always changing - new formats - new ideas come into the game; who knows what may come next. Cricket has survived because of this flexibility; because of an ability to change and transform itself. Today, the public want their fix even faster. They want more action, more speed, more thrills; that’s what T20 offers. Today’s question is when do you play it; in the evening, at night, during the day? That’s the next challenge.

What about night-time Test matches recently mooted by the ICC?

I don’t think we require that. Cricket is lucky. We already have two ODI formats which can be played at night. We can’t have matches played too late - then it becomes all about TV ratings. In India, they don’t start their T20 matches until 8.30pm at night - that is late but only because the Indians work hard and don’t end their working day till late. In Australia you want the kids to see the games, so play starts anywhere between 5.30pm and 7pm. If it’s too late the mothers won’t take their kids to the match as they perceive it as too dangerous to be out late at night on their own. Each country is different - each one must find their own way which suits them. In Australia parents don’t want their kids to be in the same ground as drunken louts. They want a nice clean early start-time match where the children can come home early.

Do you think the inaugural BBL will be a one-off success?

Definitely not. The Big Bash has been developed well and started at the right time and will continue to be a huge success.

Corruption in Cricket - you have talked about lie-detector tests?

Everyone is trying very hard to end our cricket corruption. For me it’s a huge worry. I suggest lie-detector tests because their evidence stands up in a court of law. If players are prepared to take these tests and allow investigators to have access to their bank accounts once there is some proof that the individual is corrupt. I am very pleased and encouraged that Stuart Broad came out and agreed with such measures. The players must be on your side if you’re to clean up the game.

Chris Watts, The ECB Anti-Corruption Head, feels prevention is the way forward rather than unearth past guilty players. Do you feel prevention ‘is’ the way forward?

Education is important and part of the prevention. We need to make examples of those found guilty. There are plenty more out there who are.

In your playing days was there corruption?

Oh definitely! Lillee and Marsh being an example. 500/1 odds against England winning that Headingley Test and they placed a bet. Looking back now it wasn’t corrupt but you can see how it has developed. And of course there was Shane Warne. For the credibility of the game we must bring it out into the open. I am not against the honey-trap if it helps. We need to make examples of people to deter others from doing it. If it takes a honey-trap to prosecute some people so be it.

What were your three best moments during your cricketing career?

First, playing cricket was always an ongoing pleasure. I had a reputation of chasing money but the truth be known I would have played for nothing. I love my association with the sport - the lessons I’ve learnt - the people I’ve met like Pataudi, Sobers, Dexter, Jim Parks and others.

Second, being given the England captaincy was a tremendous thrill. I had to sit down and take a deep breath when it was offered.

Third, my association and great friendship with Garry Sobers. After the infamous Kallicharran run-out incident, he came up to me in the dressing-room afterwards and said, “You were dead right to do that. I would have done the same!” 

And your worst?

Taking the ECB to court. I did not enjoy that one bit. They were friends of mine. They lost the case along with a lot of money which only made things worse. It was a  very sad period for me, although it did a lot of good at the end of the day. My action changed the way cricket was run. The money-side or greed that I was accused of was all about looking after my family financially and deciding the next stage of my life; about gaining another job away from playing cricket and why I moved to Australia.

What about your commentary career with Channel 9? How does that compare to your cricketing days?

It is an extension of the fun I had before. It’s not the same as playing but I’ve met some wonderful people through it and made some great friends.

Your epilepsy - did it ever affect your cricket playing?

Look, I’ve been taking tablets every day of my life since the age of 12 years-old.

Did it ever occur during a match?

Yes, at ‘The Wanderers’ but the press were very good to me over that and kept it quiet. I’ve been very proud of the way I’ve coped with the condition and not let it affect my cricket career or my personal life.

Finally, as a young and vibrant 65 year-old, how do you see the remainder of your cricket career developing? Have you chosen an age to retire or rather like Ted Dexter, see an active life well into your late 70s! 

I will continue to commentate. I have absolutely no intention of retiring. I am having far too much fun.