Dynamic Grieg's characteristic voice stilled

Richard Dwight

In the midst of the hustle and the bustle of the festive season the enthusiastic, enterprising, Tong Greig, a charming man for all seasons, slipped through life peacefully to the land of eternal bliss.

It was not lung cancer that bothered him, he did seem to be coping with that well - But he surprised all by suffering a heart attack. In the twinkling of an eye it was all over, he breathed his last at the age of 66 at Sydney. Endowed with a fine physique to be a tall and lanky versatile cricketer, who could bowl, bat and field with unflagging zeal for the good of the team.

Though born a South African he made England his home as a liberalist, he made a name for himself by turning out for the Sussex county, where he revelled as an outstanding all-rounder to ensure the progress of Sussex.

All this did make quite an impression for him to represent England in 1972 to make his 'Test' debut.

Greig was a knowledgeable astute cricketer, with an instinct of high order and was considered the right man to lead England as captain in 1975.

It's a pity that Greig's captaincy was short lived for the reason that he joined Kerry Packer the innovator of the limited overs game which commenced as the 'World Series Cricket'.

Greig left after five years with Kerry Packer. Lest I forget, Greig came over to Sri Lanka with the English team and the only thing I remember of that match was Tony Greig coming down the pitch to see Greig hitting the ball everso hard to soar into skies to see the ball being small and come down with force to scale over the score board of the oval to another's compound, a massive six.

They say that when one door closes another opens and it was his good fortune that began a career as a cricket commentator.

The now broadened Greig, tall as he was with his vibrant diction, was over-powering to stamp his authority on his comments and remarks. No sooner he entered the commentary box, he lightened the place up with his enjoyable, jolly presence.

Greig keenly followed the cricket and was quick to make his observations and adding wisecracks and witticisms in the process.

Greig was endowed with polished fluency and a cascade of effortless eloquence, not forgetting his sense of humour.

It could without reservation be said that he loved Sri Lanka very much and was very descriptive of its scenic beauty and the fruits he ate. He went out of his way to particularly show his interest for our cricket and cricketers.

Greig would often visit Sri Lanka his second home and at times be found relaxing in a sarong. Tony Greig was a lover of Sri Lanka and special friend of our cricketers who will be poorer by his demise.

"To know him was to admire him,

To speak of him was to praise him" The mould in which he was cast is no more and like of him we will not see again.

May Tony Greig's soul rest in peace.