The Summer of ’76: When Tony Greig’s ‘grovel’ comment triggered the Windies

The recent #BlackLivesMatter protests in the US has given rise to new questions on the problem of racism across the world. Racism is also prevalent in the sporting world, much like it is in the rest of the fields. Throughout the years, a number of racist incidents have come to the fore in cricket. But one particular incident in 1976 shook the entire sporting fraternity to the core, including the inventors of the game – England and the West Indies.

What was the incident?

In 1976, England and West Indies played out a 5-match Test series in England. West Indies captain Clive Lloyd had built an army of fast bowlers that made newspaper headlines after their tour match performances.

But even before the series began, much of the focus was on racist, verbal slurs instead of the actual competition on the field. Ahead of the first Test, England captain Tony Greig was interviewed in BBC’s midweek programme, SportsNight. The South African-born and raised captain left no stone unturned in unleashing his mean self, saying he intended to make the West Indies team ‘grovel’.

Apart from being obviously racist, Greig’s comments were a direct blow to the Windies team that comprised of successors of slaves and labourers.

“The word ‘grovel’ is one guaranteed to raise the blood pressure of any black man,” Lloyd had said, as quoted by ESPNCricinfo.

“The fact they were used by a white South African made it even worse. We were angry and West Indians everywhere were angry. We resolved to show him and everyone else that the days for grovelling were over.”

Greig’s words, in turn, motivated the visiting Windies to give it their all and destroy England’s ego. As thousands of West Indies cheered them on by the sidelines, they went on to inflict a 3-0 series defeat on the Englishmen.

British tabloid ‘The Sun’ carried a picture of Tony Greig walking on all fours, with the caption, “Okay, so I’m grovelling now!”

How did West Indies find out?

According to a report in The Indian Express, the West Indies team was relaxing in their hotel rooms on June 1, 1976. The television was on in the background and the players were preparing to go to a team meeting. Just when they were about to step out, a news flash appeared on the screen with Greig’s photograph.

Viv Richards recalls the incident

Many years later, the legendary Viv Richards revealed what transpired at the team hotel when this incident occurred. Richards said the team was headed for a strategy meeting when everyone suddenly stopped to listen to Greig’s comments. The Windies batsman admitted he did not know the meaning of the word ‘grovel’ and its connection to racism back then. This was because Greig said it in a typical South African accent. But looking at his teammates’ grim faces, Richards said he understood the gravity of the situation.

Richards went on to score 829 runs – the most in the series. He also registered two double hundreds, with a personal best of 291.

The downfall of England

The West Indies batsmen and bowlers were all fired up after this incident, and it showed on the cricket field. So much so that captain Lloyd did not go ahead with the team meeting and showed up straight for the match. The first two Tests ended in a draw but the visitors went on to win the next three.

Greig himself was bowled five times in the entire series. Whenever he stepped out to bat, the Windies pacers unleashed full-length deliveries, some of which even hit Greig on his body. When it was their turn to bat, West Indies batsmen took over like madmen and scored runs aplenty.

This incident turned West Indies into one of the most dangerous teams in world cricket. For the next decade, they went on to rule international cricket with all their might, all thanks to a trigger from Tony Greig.