Name:

Greig, Tony

Nickname:

Greigy

Date of Birth:

06 Oct 1946

Gender:

Men

Place of Birth:

Queenstown, Cape Province

Date Died:

29 Dec 2012

Career:

Test: 1972 - 1977
ODI: 1972 - 1977

Teams:

Sussex (Regional)
England (Country)

1946-2012: Tony Greig dies suddenly

Tony Greig: Controversial, colourful captain and exuberant commentator

Anthony (Tony) William Greig was born on 6 Oct 1946 in Queenstown, Cape Town. He died of a heart attack in Sydney on 29 Dec 2012. Greig was a tall (6' 7"), attacking allrounder who batted right handed and bowled right arm medium pace.

He moved to England in the late 1960s and made his Test debut for England against Australia in 1972 at Old Trafford, top scoring in both innings with 57 and 62.

During the home summer of 1974, England faced three Tests against India and three against Pakistan. Overall, Greig averaged 41.5 with the bat and grabbed 14 wickets. His highlight was a century against India at Lord's.

This was a good tune-up for the Ashes tour of Australia at year's end, where England would probably start favourite and Greig would be a key player. Shocked by the Australian fast bowling attack of Jeff Thomson and Dennis Lillee, most English batsmen struggled in the first Test at Brisbane. However, Greig played a lone hand with 110 in the first innings. As the series progressed, the Australian bowling overawed their opponents, apart from Greig, who lifted his standard and enhanced his reputation. He was the stand-out character in a losing team and won the admiration of the crowds and the Australian players, who liked his approach to the game

He was made captain of England in 1975.

He played a crucial role in establishing Kerry Packer's World Series Cricket in Australia in 1977. After the Packer war was ended in 1979, Greig worked as a high-profile cricket commentator on Packer's Nine Network for over three decades, famously arguing constantly with former Australian captain Bill Lawry and sticking his car key into the pitch before each match to assess its moisture content.

Greig passed away on December 29, 2012, in Sydney at the age of 66. He died from a heart attack after battling lung cancer, which had been diagnosed earlier that year.

Greig was widely admired for his dynamic all-round performances in the 1970s and for his pivotal role in the establishment of World Series Cricket, which helped modernize the sport. After his playing career, he became a beloved voice in the commentary box, especially in Australia, where his enthusiasm, distinctive accent, and deep knowledge of the game endeared him to fans worldwide. His death marked the loss of one of cricket’s great personalities—both on and off the field.