'Motivation is never an issue'
Over three decades on, Tony Greig, who was part of the Rest of the World side that took on Australia in 1971-72, talks exclusively to Cricinfo
Nagraj Gollapudi
04-Oct-2005
Over three decades on from the Rest of the World team's adventures in England and Australia, the concept is about to be dusted off and relaunched at the Telstra Dome in Melbourne, and then at the Sydney Cricket Ground. Tony Greig, who was part of the Rest of the World side that took on Australia in 1971-72, talks exclusively to Cricinfo about the genesis of the idea, and the motivation to do well in such games
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The ICC have, amongst many responsibilities, an obligation to see to it that cricket remains in the headlines. The genesis of this idea was the total dominance of the Australian cricket team. The top-ranked ICC team against the best of the rest every now and again is a good idea. Representing the Rest of the World should be an ambition of all international cricketers. If I were Malcolm Speed, I would also take the opportunity to invite the members of this team to discuss with the ICC all aspects of the game. It's time to involve the players, past and present, a little in the decision-making process.
Do you think these matches should have official status?
Yes I do. My understanding of the status of first-class and Test cricket is related to the standard of the players. These are all Test cricketers playing under the auspices of the ICC. If it doesn't have official status, then it will not be taken as seriously by the players.
Yes I do. My understanding of the status of first-class and Test cricket is related to the standard of the players. These are all Test cricketers playing under the auspices of the ICC. If it doesn't have official status, then it will not be taken as seriously by the players.
Do you think that by giving official status, the ICC has ensured that it will be played in competitive spirit?
Yes, more so than if it wasn't given Test status.
Yes, more so than if it wasn't given Test status.
Do you the think the tsunami relief matches and Afro-Asian games deserved official status?
Not necessarily ... they are charity matches and as such there will always be a relaxed atmosphere about them. The charity becomes more important than the match, and that is understandable.
Not necessarily ... they are charity matches and as such there will always be a relaxed atmosphere about them. The charity becomes more important than the match, and that is understandable.
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Not at all, although I do think they deserve Test status.
Would you want the ICC to give those matches official status with retrospective effect?
One way or the other, it doesn't bother me but I have never been in favour of any form of retrospective action. You must remember that the matches you refer to were played as Tests and then their status was altered. A good case can be made for reverting to their original status, especially now that the ICC have given Test status to the forthcoming Sydney match involving the Rest of the World.
One way or the other, it doesn't bother me but I have never been in favour of any form of retrospective action. You must remember that the matches you refer to were played as Tests and then their status was altered. A good case can be made for reverting to their original status, especially now that the ICC have given Test status to the forthcoming Sydney match involving the Rest of the World.
Where are your best memories of playing against Australia for the Rest of the World? Did you take those matches as seriously as you did a Test match?
They were played like Tests and were deadly serious. My best memories are those associated with the great friends I made while on tour. I felt a bit like Sunny [Gavaskar] - to be in the same team as [Garry] Sobers, the Pollock brothers [Graeme and Peter], [Rohan] Kanhai, Gavaskar, Inti [Intikhab Alam] and Zaheer [Abbas], to name a few, was an wonderful experience.
They were played like Tests and were deadly serious. My best memories are those associated with the great friends I made while on tour. I felt a bit like Sunny [Gavaskar] - to be in the same team as [Garry] Sobers, the Pollock brothers [Graeme and Peter], [Rohan] Kanhai, Gavaskar, Inti [Intikhab Alam] and Zaheer [Abbas], to name a few, was an wonderful experience.
Is it easy for a player to motivate himself when he is not playing for his country?
Motivation is never an issue with Test cricketers of this calibre.
Motivation is never an issue with Test cricketers of this calibre.
Off the field, what was the equation like between the players? Did you make any lasting friends as a result of that tour?
At the time, I didn't realise it but, yes, I made lifelong friends from the Rest of the World series I played in. These friendships, rather like those made during World Series Cricket, last forever.
At the time, I didn't realise it but, yes, I made lifelong friends from the Rest of the World series I played in. These friendships, rather like those made during World Series Cricket, last forever.