Tribute to a fair man: Tony Greig

Tony Greig's trademark hat sat on top of the stumps at the SCG Members end before the start of play in the final Test between Australia and Sri Lanka.

It was a telling vignette of the affection Australians held for a man who, in his day, did everything in his power to beat the men wearing baggy green caps.

But Australians came to adopt the South African-born former England captain, who died last Saturday aged 66, just as he adopted them after deciding to call Australia home.

They respected his combative nature on the field, and enjoyed his joviality off it, from his Test days through to his central role in the Australian-inspired rebellion known as World Series Cricket, and later as a TV commentator.

Australian captain Michael Clarke led the tributes by wearing Greig's signature neckerchief -- handed to him by Tony's son Tom before the start of play -- as he led the Australians on to the field.

"He was an inspiration to cricket," Clarke said. "The game owes Greigy a hell of a lot. If not for the great Kerry Packer and Tony Greig, the game wouldn't be where it is today."

Australia's players wore black armbands and the crowd observed a minute's silence before the start. Greig's fellow commentators in the Nine Network commentary box paid their own handsome tributes, led by doyen Richie Benaud.

"He was so strong in every way, a man I always liked to have on my side," Benaud said.

Great friend

Recalling Greig's part as a key recruiter for WSC, Benaud said Greig felt very strongly about a fair day's pay for a fair day's work in days when cricketers were paid "peanuts". Benaud said it was a day of sadness but "we will get on with it as he would have wished. And at the end of the day we will raise a glass to our gifted colleague and friend forever."

Bill Lawry missed his "great friend" and jousting partner. Mark Taylor hailed Greig for his willingness to put his reputation on the line for the good of the game, as he did in pioneering the use of helmets. Ian Healy praised Greig's industrious research. Ian Chappell recalled how Greig's fairness spared him in a difficult situation when the two captains were asked whether the third Test at Headingley in 1975 should proceed after the pitch was sabotaged.

Greig said no, despite believing England held the advantage.

Father's hat

"He was combative but he was not about to take advantage of you," Chappell said.

Greig's family and the Nine commentary team were invited by the opposing captains, Clarke and Mahela Jayawardene, to join the players and officials on the SCG before play. His wife, Vivian, was overcome by the outpouring of emotion, saying on Test eve: "I just wish he could have seen it.

"I'm so grateful, truly grateful."

The SCG Trust urged fans to wear Greig-style sun hats, and thousands did, including his sons Mark and Tom. They embraced before taking their father's hat from the stumps and heading off into a life without him.

It's a big hat to fill.

AAP