While the pace and bounce of bowler Mitchell Johnson will be a key weapon for the Australians when they play the Blacks Caps in this Saturday's eagerly anticipated World Cup match, memories of a much lower and slower delivery come to the surface.
February 1, 1981, the MCG and New Zealand's Brian McKechnie needs to hit a six off the final ball to tie the match.
According to Greg Chappell, the man who made the call to roll the ball, it wasn't about winning the game, but losing his rag over poor pitches and an unrelenting schedule.
"By the time McKechnie came into bat I'd had a gutful. It was cry for help if you like, because I was over the whole thing."
As the Melbourne crowd booed Australia off the field, a young girl delivered a personal message to the skipper.
It was at this moment Chappell says he second-guessed his decision.
"She tugged on my sleeve and said 'you cheated'. Oh, I thought, then I am in trouble."
But the underarm incident also galvanised a Trans-Tasman cricket rivalry, which McKechnie believes will reach its peak this weekend.
"It's a game unlike '92 when we weren't expected to win; this one there's an expectation now because of how this team are playing."
For the record, the tail-ender says six was never in the offing.
3 News
source: newshub archive
