This is a man who was born in South Africa to Scottish parents, captained the English cricket team, is domiciled in Australia and roots vociferously for Sri Lanka.
With his trademark hat upon his head, the man, Tony Greig has now become a household name to millions of cricket loving Sri Lankans here as well as across the seas from Down Under to the coasts of California.
Standing all of 6”4’, Tony Greig, cricket commentator for WorldTel, is best known for his fond prediction to “never underestimate these little Sri Lankans.”
“Although most Sri Lankans do seem little to me from up here, I have had no doubt after watching them play in Dubai, Australia and then in Singapore, that these little guys are absolutely the best!”
But the question is, why did Tony Greig ,who was also known for his intimidation on field, root for the underdogs of world cricket?
“Well, I always pulled for the underdogs, and that’s what these guys were back then.”
“But now... they are TOUGH. The Australian tour proved it.” he said.
And the Sri Lankans, who were new to the “game” when they went to Australia, learned fast. All the problems they had back there, like being accused of ball tampering and chucking, finally helped the team.
According to Greig, the umpires during that controversial tour, were more to blame. The umpires had been following the team all the way from Dubai, and it was entirely their choice to pick on the players.
Although the charges were “grossly unfair”, at the end of the day they handled it well. And according to Tony Greig, who himself had to deal with epilepsy during childhood, it takes that slight “niggle” to bring out the best against a common enemy.
“They proved themselves by throwing up two brilliant players who absolutely slaughtered the Australian fast bowlers,” he reminisced.
For Tony Greig, Lankan captain, Arjuna Ranatunga, is an example of a champion. A captain who steers the side rock steady simply by taking the pressure off the other players with his calm and unselfish manner. Arjuna can match upto any form of pressure from the other side as witnessed by all cricket viewers while in Australia, and dish it out himself, thereby, instilling confidence in his team-mates.
He recalls many a conversation with past players who have praised Ranatunga for his mature and unselfish attitude on the field, especially while batting.
Jayasuriya, although passive and pleasing off the field, is as tough as it takes. “I can just imagine the Australian fast bowlers tossing and turning at night wondering what these guys, Jayasuriya and little Kalu, would do to them because their careers are up for grabs. It could be a nightmare,” he chuckles. “An absolute David and Goliath affair.”
And others, like Kumar Dharmasena are learning pretty fast to hold their own!
“They may do it in a slightly different way, even in their own language, but they are all learning,” laughs Tony Greig.
Recalling his own experiences, he admits, “There is absolutely no doubt that during my playing career, I very definitely was of the view that if you could upset the batsman or the bowler by some action or by saying something within certain bounds then that was all in the spirit of the game.”
He cites the Steve Waugh/ Kalu incident on the field last Friday during the Australian Sri Lanka match. Waugh intimidated Kalu while he was batting and it took the very next ball to get him out. That is exactly the thing that the Sri Lankans have to face upto.
Therefore, intimidation on the field is not something new. It has been going for a long time. However, now with the new concept of a match referee, worldwide telecasts and the middle stump with the microphone, things are a little more obvious.
What was being said behind the stumps in Melbourne that day was picked up and broadcast loud and clear in Moratuwa the same instance.
Captaining England was no easy task for Tony Greig. “With my background, being white South African in England, I had it tough.”
“It was an unfortunate day for me when I said that I would make the West Indians grovel.
“Although I was quoted out of context, the press had a field day. We had just lost 4-1 in Australia when the West Indians were going on about what a hard time they were going to give us... and in fact we did have a hard time.
“I was the one who did the grovelling in the end,” he laughed.
Likewise, Tony Greig advises our cricketers about the inevitable fall from grace.
“It is easy being on top. But they must learn to handle themselves when they are not doing so well either. That is more important .Ó
And now, Sri Lankans here and abroad are watching some exciting cricket again. With some superb performances on the field, Tony Greig and his wife, Viv, are having a wonderful time off it. He is absolutely delighted with the Sri Lankan hospitality and is being amply felicitated for his support to the team.
He hopes that all this cricket will bring about some semblance of hope and unity in the country and is truly saddened by the strife within it.
“For the sake of all the cricket lovers up in the mountains, to those watching in every village, and even the rebels in hiding, this Sri Lankan team should bring a smile to their faces because it is the one thing that they can really smile about,” said Tony Greig.
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