Sydney: Australian and Sri Lankan players paid their respects to Tony Greig in a moving farewell to the former England captain before the start of play in the third Test on Thursday.
A minute’s silence was observed by players wearing black armbands and fans in honour of Greig, who died at the weekend aged 66 from a heart attack while battling lung cancer.
A trademark Greig sunhat was placed symbolically on the stumps at the Sydney Cricket Ground before being taken away by his sons, Mark and Tom.
The sons embraced and headed from the ground before the start of play.
Greig’s family and the Channel 9 commentary team were invited by opposing captains Michael Clarke and Mahela Jayawardene to join the players and officials on the playing arena before the match started.
His wife Vivian was overcome by the cricket community’s response. “I just wish he could have seen it,” she said. “I’m so grateful, truly grateful.
“For Channel 9 and Cricket Australia to organise this tribute to him is truly touching.”
Greig worked for Australia’s Nine Network for decades and his long-time colleagues Richie Benaud, Bill Lawry and Ian Chappell were among the television contingent standing alongside the Australia team at the pre-match tribute.
Inspiration
Broadcasting doyen Benaud said it was a sad day 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.”
“He was so strong in every way, a man I always liked to have on my side,” he said.
Organisers had urged fans to wear Greig-style wide-brimmed hats, and thousands responded under sunny skies.
Australian captain Clarke also wore a neckerchief, in Greig style, as a personal tribute, as he led the Australians onto 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.”
South African-born Greig, a swashbuckling middle-order batsman and medium-fast bowler who had recently been diagnosed with cancer, died shortly after suffering a cardiac arrest at his Sydney home.
He was instrumental in the formation of late Australian media tycoon Kerry Packer’s breakaway World Series Cricket contest staged from 1977-79, which left a lasting legacy on the game, including improved financial rewards for players.
