No underarm apology even after 40 years have passed

MELBOURNE: Trevor Chappell has never apologised to New Zealand for the underarm ball that shocked the cricketing world in 1981 and the former Australia batsman says there is not much point doing so now as it would not change anything.

In the leadup to next Monday’s 40th anniversary of the ball, which prevented New Zealand tying a oneday international and triggered condemnation of the Australia team, Chappell said he saw little worth in focusing on the ‘‘negative event’’.

‘‘There is not much point. It was a negative thing in your life. Get over it. Get on with life,’’ he told Brisbane’s CourierMail newspaper.

‘‘That’s also the reason why I have never said sorry to the New Zealanders. Whether I am sorry or whether I am not is not going to change anything. It is not going to make any difference to them.

‘‘One thing I have learnt in life and focus on negative events it does not do your mental health or physical health any good.’’

Chappell was instructed by his older brother and thencaptain Greg to bowl underarm at tailender Brian McKechnie, with New Zealand needing six runs off the final delivery to tie the ODI at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on February 1, 1981.

It was the third match in a bestoffive series which was locked at 11.

McKechnie could only block the ball and Australia won by six runs. Underarm deliveries were not illegal at the time but considered against the spirit of the game.

Robert Muldoon, then New Zealand prime minister, said the ball was an ‘‘act of true cowardice and I consider it appropriate that the Australian team were wearing yellow’’.

Asked whether he would bowl the ball differently today, Chappell said he would have to because underarm bowling was subsequently outlawed.

‘‘I was a new player in the team,’’ the 68yearold said. ‘‘I did not feel I had any authority to say, ‘I don’t think that is a great idea.’ ’’ — Reuters

❛ Whether I am sorry or whether I am not is not going to change

anything