The cricketing world has expressed grief over the
demise of former England captain and noted TV commentator Tony Greig,
who passed away on Saturday after a failed battle with lung cancer.
The Bangladesh Cricket Board in a condolence message said, "We fondly recall Mr. Greig's visits to Bangladesh as a cricket expert during international tournaments and series. His personality and eloquent voice will be missed."
Richie Benaud, former Australian captain and the doyen of cricket commentary, described Greig as a dynamic cricketer, a fearless thinker and an entertainer.
''I found him a fellow full of courage; that was before he was ill. He was full of courage because of many things that had happened to him in his cricket life and his outside life as well. It's one of those things where we know this was inevitable but there's always a sadness when you see a good friend go.''
Kerry Packer's son James said Greig ''stood shoulder to shoulder with my father at times when it was not always fashionable''.
''Together with the backing of other key players and supporters, they forged a brave new age for both cricketers and spectators alike. For that alone, every fan of the game is in Tony Greig's debt.
''But he was much more than that. Our cricket enemy turned our mate; his famous car keys stuck in the pitch to demonstrate its hardness, and his legendary but friendly on-air barneys with the great Bill Lawry.''
Lawry said he was ''absolutely shattered'' for Greig's family.
"I was only saying (on Saturday) to Steve Crawley, our head of sport, how much I've missed Tony this year,'' he said.
''Because there is more time after play than during play sometimes. It was very much missing this year in Hobart.''
Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard described Greig as ''a superb all-rounder, ambitious national captain and authoritative commentator over the best part of half a century'' In a statement, she said ''Greig's standing in the game is matched by very few others.''
The Channel Nine network described him as a "beloved" figure.
CEO David Gyngell said his network had ''lost part of its extensive cricketing DNA''.
"It's a deeply upsetting time for his family and for everyone associated with Tony at Nine, and indeed for many, many others who came to know and love the man,'' he said.
He said Greig had made a remarkable transition in the Australian cricketing culture from foe to friend.
"He's been a great bloke - one of the terrific characters of the game both as a player and then a commentator, never short of an opinion but always a generous man with a big heart. You just cannot say fairer than that.''
Greig's wife, Vivian, thanked the public for its support and condolences and requested her family be given privacy.
''Tony was a tough opponent who took on all opposition with aggression and a determination to win,'' said Australian fast bowling legend Dennis Lillee.
Australian Test captain Michael Clarke said the news was ''absolutely devastating.
Personally, he has also been a great mentor for me, providing great advice through the good times and the bad.''
Former Australian captain Steve Waugh said Greig had inspired him to play.
"As a young boy working the scoreboard at Bankstown Oval I eventually summoned up the courage to walk up to him and ask for his autograph as he sat waiting to bat next for Waverley," he said.
"He was very gracious in his response and while it was only a brief exchange it certainly ignited my desire to one day be a professional cricketer."
Sri Lankan cricketers mourned the death of the renowned cricket commentator, who was a promoter of Sri Lankan cricket.
Former Sri Lankan captain Sanath Jayasuriya said he was saddened by the death of Greig. He said Greig was a big supporter of Sri Lankan cricket, especially after they won the 1996 Cricket World Cup beating Australia
Greig was also a huge fan of Jayasuriya and his former opening partner Romesh Kaluwitharana. Both Jayasuriya and Kaluwitharana revolutionised ODI cricket by scoring rapid runs in the first 15 overs.
Greig praised the batting style of Jayasuriya and Kaluwitharana and eventually became a fan of Sri Lanka and its people.
"The way he promoted me and Kalu was amazing. He was like a Sri Lankan. His death is a big loss to us," Jayasuriya said.
Former Sri Lankan cricketer Russel Arnold said Greig's death was a shock. Arnold was a commentator with Greig.
Greig was also a tourism ambassador of Sri Lanka and promoted the island as a place for foreigners to visit.
The Bangladesh Cricket Board in a condolence message said, "We fondly recall Mr. Greig's visits to Bangladesh as a cricket expert during international tournaments and series. His personality and eloquent voice will be missed."
Richie Benaud, former Australian captain and the doyen of cricket commentary, described Greig as a dynamic cricketer, a fearless thinker and an entertainer.
''I found him a fellow full of courage; that was before he was ill. He was full of courage because of many things that had happened to him in his cricket life and his outside life as well. It's one of those things where we know this was inevitable but there's always a sadness when you see a good friend go.''
Kerry Packer's son James said Greig ''stood shoulder to shoulder with my father at times when it was not always fashionable''.
''Together with the backing of other key players and supporters, they forged a brave new age for both cricketers and spectators alike. For that alone, every fan of the game is in Tony Greig's debt.
''But he was much more than that. Our cricket enemy turned our mate; his famous car keys stuck in the pitch to demonstrate its hardness, and his legendary but friendly on-air barneys with the great Bill Lawry.''
Lawry said he was ''absolutely shattered'' for Greig's family.
"I was only saying (on Saturday) to Steve Crawley, our head of sport, how much I've missed Tony this year,'' he said.
''Because there is more time after play than during play sometimes. It was very much missing this year in Hobart.''
Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard described Greig as ''a superb all-rounder, ambitious national captain and authoritative commentator over the best part of half a century'' In a statement, she said ''Greig's standing in the game is matched by very few others.''
The Channel Nine network described him as a "beloved" figure.
CEO David Gyngell said his network had ''lost part of its extensive cricketing DNA''.
"It's a deeply upsetting time for his family and for everyone associated with Tony at Nine, and indeed for many, many others who came to know and love the man,'' he said.
He said Greig had made a remarkable transition in the Australian cricketing culture from foe to friend.
"He's been a great bloke - one of the terrific characters of the game both as a player and then a commentator, never short of an opinion but always a generous man with a big heart. You just cannot say fairer than that.''
Greig's wife, Vivian, thanked the public for its support and condolences and requested her family be given privacy.
''Tony was a tough opponent who took on all opposition with aggression and a determination to win,'' said Australian fast bowling legend Dennis Lillee.
Australian Test captain Michael Clarke said the news was ''absolutely devastating.
Personally, he has also been a great mentor for me, providing great advice through the good times and the bad.''
Former Australian captain Steve Waugh said Greig had inspired him to play.
"As a young boy working the scoreboard at Bankstown Oval I eventually summoned up the courage to walk up to him and ask for his autograph as he sat waiting to bat next for Waverley," he said.
"He was very gracious in his response and while it was only a brief exchange it certainly ignited my desire to one day be a professional cricketer."
Sri Lankan cricketers mourned the death of the renowned cricket commentator, who was a promoter of Sri Lankan cricket.
Former Sri Lankan captain Sanath Jayasuriya said he was saddened by the death of Greig. He said Greig was a big supporter of Sri Lankan cricket, especially after they won the 1996 Cricket World Cup beating Australia
Greig was also a huge fan of Jayasuriya and his former opening partner Romesh Kaluwitharana. Both Jayasuriya and Kaluwitharana revolutionised ODI cricket by scoring rapid runs in the first 15 overs.
Greig praised the batting style of Jayasuriya and Kaluwitharana and eventually became a fan of Sri Lanka and its people.
"The way he promoted me and Kalu was amazing. He was like a Sri Lankan. His death is a big loss to us," Jayasuriya said.
Former Sri Lankan cricketer Russel Arnold said Greig's death was a shock. Arnold was a commentator with Greig.
Greig was also a tourism ambassador of Sri Lanka and promoted the island as a place for foreigners to visit.
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