Trevor Chappell’s name has been synonymous with one of the most notorious unsporting acts of all time — bowling underarm against New Zealand in a ODI in 1981.
It won Australia the match, but lost him all respect, despite Chappell acting on the orders of his older brother and then captain, Greg.
Thirty-seven years later, he said it was a relief to no longer be seen as the most despised man in Australian cricket, with current skipper Steve Smith rapidly earning that accolade.
“I’m the last one who comes up on Google as the man who took the lead role in Australian cricket’s darkest day — it’s a real relief I can finally drop that title,” the 65-year-old told Sydney’s Daily Telegraph on Tuesday.
Chappell said Smith and Cameron Bancroft will long be haunted by what they did. “What I did has lived with me ever since and it will be the same for Smith and Bancroft,” he said. “They will struggle for the rest of their lives and be known as the ones who brought Australian cricket into disrepute.
“Whether it haunts them for the rest of their lives is down to them, but I haven’t been able to shake off what happened to me in 37 years.”
Chappell’s underarm ball was a spur of the moment decision with New Zealand needing six off the last ball to tie the one-day game. It was not illegal at the time, although it went against the spirit of cricketing fair play.
