THE SPORTSMISTAKES RECORD

Trevor Chappell Underarm Bowling Incident

1981 • Cricket • Player Mistake • Unsportsmanlike Conduct
Trevor Chappell Underarm Bowling Incident — SportsMistakes artwork

THE STORY

On February 1, 1981, during the third final of the Benson & Hedges World Series Cup at Melbourne Cricket Ground, Australian captain Greg Chappell instructed his brother, bowler Trevor Chappell, to deliver the final ball underarm to New Zealand's Brian McKechnie, preventing a six that could have tied the match. This action, though legal at the time, was widely criticized for breaching cricket's spirit of fair play.

TEAMS / PEOPLE: Trevor Chappell, Australia, New Zealand

WHY IT MATTERS

The incident sparked international outrage and led to a change in the Laws of Cricket, explicitly banning underarm bowling in all forms of the game, even if agreed upon by both captains.

JUDGE AND LEARN VOTE • PICK 3 REASONS • ADD YOUR TAKE

SOURCES