The
underarm bowling incident of 1981 took place on 1 February 1981, when
Australia played
New Zealand in a
One Day International cricket match, the third of five such matches in the final of the
Benson & Hedges World Series Cup, at the
Melbourne Cricket Ground. With one ball of the final over remaining, New Zealand required a
six to tie the match. To ensure that New Zealand did not get the runs they needed, the Australian captain,
Greg Chappell, instructed his bowler (and younger brother),
Trevor Chappell, to deliver the last ball
underarm, along the ground. This action was legal at the time, but nevertheless seen as being against the spirit of cricketing fair play.