But above all they described a man who had a deep appreciation of the game.
Greig was a man whose stature was not limited to his imposing frame and whose impact extended far beyond his achievements on the cricket pitch.In the stands of the SCG, commentary doyen Richie Benaud sat side by side with Greig's old sparring partner Bill Lawry, who delivered the eulogy - and drawing large applause for his Billy Birmingham-inspired impressions of Greig and Benaud.Highlighting the influence Greig had on a varied cross section of the international game, England champions Ian Botham and David Gower recorded messages, while letters were passed on from Indian legend Ravi Shastri and Sri Lankan hero Arjuna Ranatunga.They all painted a picture of a genuine cricket tragic born on the eastern cape of South Africa, who became a champion England allrounder before settling in Australia.
"The amazing understanding we shared, you were my ultimate best, best friend, my confidante and my great love. Australia's supremacy was resisted then and for the rest of that summer.
With long strides, Greig raced on to the turf, his men skipping out after him while the spectators in front of the old Tavern croaked patriotic songs. In all, Greig had made 3,599 runs at 40.43, and his wickets cost 32.21; he held 87 catches, many of them spectacular.Greig soon afterwards joined Channel Nine as a commentator, by way of reward for his efforts in establishing its control of the game in Australia. The cricketer Tony Greig, who has died aged 66 after a heart attack, will be remembered for many things.
The cricketer Tony Greig, who has died aged 66 after a heart attack, will be remembered for many things. Arguments raged, with the umpire's "out" decision being upheld. Then came the Centenary Test match in Melbourne in March 1977. His allegiance lay with the sport of cricket,'' Vivian said.
Although his gangling figure suggested possible limitations, he turned his dimensions to his advantage.
TONY Greig is a name synonymous with Australian cricket. ''He gave us confidence when we faltered, he gave us strength when felt drained. In India that winter Greig came good at the end, making his first Test century, 148 at Bombay (Mumbai), sharing a record England fifth-wicket stand of 254 with Keith Fletcher.
But overnight diplomatic manoeuvres saw the decision revoked in the interests of international harmony.At Bridgetown, he was the first to make a century and take five or more wickets in an innings for England in the same Test, registering another hundred in the next in rain-sodden Georgetown, then inspiring the squaring of the series in the final Test with 13 wickets for 156, including Garry Sobers and Rohan Kanhai in their final Test. After England were thrashed in the first Test in the adjacent home Ashes series, Greig was appointed England captain.He salvaged England's first innings in that 1975 Test at Lord's with a highly creditable 96, and when he led his team out to field, a new spirit of optimism pervaded the ground.
Whether it be his playing days, his key role in Kerry Packer's rebel series or his time behind the microphone, Greig was larger than life.
England now clearly had a captain who led from the front.It was not to last. But most of all he gave us love. He went to the independent bar in 2001 following a stint with the United Nations