Tony Greig

There was a lovely tribute to Tony Greig at the 3rd Test between Australia and Sri Lanka in Sydney this morning. Tony died from a heart attack that was no doubt related to his lung cancer on December 29, and he will be missed in the cricket world.

Bill Lawry remembers his mate and famous partner

On Facebook a few days ago I put my own thoughts, which went as such:

Tony Greig

In 1977 my grandmother made sure she bought the first four editions of the Woman's Weekly, because each week they had a part of "Cricket - The Tony Greig Way". I wore out those inserts reading about Tony's thoughts on batting, bowling and fielding.

As a result of this series, although I barracked for Australia in the Centenary Test played in March of 1977, I hoped secretly that Tony Greig would score a hundred and take 10 wickets. Instead he got smashed by David Hookes, and I had my appendix removed on the final afternoon of the Test, meaning I didn't see the end and Dad had to go back and forth to the TV in the waiting room to watch it.

Tony was also party to making me hound Mum to buy Nutri-Grain for breakfasts. His ads with Greg Chappell, sprouting such classic lines as "Invite the whole team around for breakfast" and "They're like mini cricket bats with holes in them" was enough to make me want to eat it. I was not disappointed when finally given the opportunity.
 
My first bat at the age of 11 was a St. Peter bat (SP), which had been Tony Greig's equipment sponsor through his career. It was a great bat that I oiled and sanded with love.

When Billy Birmingham turned up with "It's Just Not Cricket" in 1984, the world discovered how amusing Tony Greig actually was. From this moment on he was viewed in a completely different light as a commentator, and i think he certainly played up to this, and it made him a better commentator as a result.

I did not always agree with his opinions, but I admired his championing of Sri Lanka and South Africa in particular. Though he was also very important in pushing India as they became the ruling power of world cricket, he was not afraid in vocalising his disappointment in the BCCI not using the DRS technology. Anyone who followed his Twitter account would know that he was never afraid of airing his opinions, no matter how much flak he copped from his followers from all over the world.
Through Twitter I was fortunate enough to have a number of conversations with Tony on a number of subjects in the past two years. One in particular when it was raining in Galle in 2011 was funny and informative.

Tony made you think about the game, putting forward statistics that then provoked discussion and argument both in the commentary box and in the lounge room. After The 12th Man albums, Tony entertained as much as he analysed, and his stints of commentary were never boring.

He has been noticeably missing in commentary this season, and now he will never return.

Vale Tony Greig. Thanks for the memories. Your services at every level of cricket shall never be forgotten.