Tony Greig - a glittering career Published: 07 December 2011

Tony Greig was one of England’s finest all-rounders, who captained his country in 14 Tests.

Standing at 6’6”, Greig was a towering presence during a six-year international career, which spawned eight Test centuries and 141 wickets at an impressive rate.

Greig was appointed as captain of the national side in 1975 – when he was also named as Wisden Cricketer of the Year – and became one of the most imposing and influential leaders in the history of English cricket.

The South Africa born Sussex cricketer did, however, court controversy during his career, and his achievements in the game are often overshadowed.

In 1976 he infamously stated his intention to make the touring West Indies side “grovel”, and was ultimately stripped of the England captaincy in 1977 as a consequence of his involvement with Kerry Packer’s World Series Cricket initiative.

Greig played his last professional match in 1978 and currently works as a commentator for Australian television network, Channel Nine, and was awarded Honorary Life Membership of MCC in 1998.

Greig’s career in stats
Batting
Right-hand, middle order

Matches Runs High Ave 100s 50s
Tests
 58
 3,599
 148
 40.43
 8
 20
 
ODIs
 22
 269
 48
 16.81
 0
 0
 
First-class
 350
 16,660
 226
 31.19
 26
 96
 
List A
 190
 3,899
 129
 24.67
 3
 21
 

Bowling
Right-arm medium-fast/off-spin

Matches Wickets Average Best 5 Wkts
Tests
 58
 141
 32.20
 8/86
 6
 
ODIs
 22
 19
 32.57
 4/45
 0
 
First-class
 350
 856
 28.85
 8/25
 33
 
List A
 190
 244
 23.15
 6/28
 3
 

England legend

How does Greig compare to other great England Test all-rounders, Ian Botham and Andrew Flintoff?

Matches Runs Bat av. Wickets Bow av.
Greig
 58
 3,599
 40.43
 141
 32.20
 
Botham
 102
 5,200
 33.54
 383
 28.40
 
Flintoff
 78
 3,795
 31.89
 219
 33.34