'Jungly' Greig was born on this day, 1871.
He was (to my knowledge) the first cricketer to be called The Little Master in the Indian subcontinent, or, anywhere.
He was also the first great batsman – or cricketer – to play here.
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He was (to my knowledge) the first cricketer to be called The Little Master in the Indian subcontinent, or, anywhere.
He was also the first great batsman – or cricketer – to play here.
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He was called 'Jungly' here because John Glennie Greig was difficult to pronounce.
This seems to be a trend. TC Longfield became Tulsi Chand and AL Hosie Amrit Lal.
Greig was an Englishman but he was born in Mhow, and played a chunk of his matches in India.
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This seems to be a trend. TC Longfield became Tulsi Chand and AL Hosie Amrit Lal.
Greig was an Englishman but he was born in Mhow, and played a chunk of his matches in India.
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Greig grew up in England, but came to India with the Royal Army.
He was a superstar in the Bombay Presidency match, an annual fixture between Europeans and Parsees (this was later expanded to Triangular, then Quadrangular, then Pentangular).
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He was a superstar in the Bombay Presidency match, an annual fixture between Europeans and Parsees (this was later expanded to Triangular, then Quadrangular, then Pentangular).
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He became the first to score a thousand runs in the history of the tournament.
His most famous innings – 184 in 1899-00 – featured an all-round display of strokes against some of the best bowlers in the country earned him accolades.
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His most famous innings – 184 in 1899-00 – featured an all-round display of strokes against some of the best bowlers in the country earned him accolades.
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He continued to play in England in summers and in India in winters.
His numbers – 7,348 runs at 36.37 and 138 wickets at 23.46 – make excellent reading.
But Greig's contribution to Indian cricket goes deeper.
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His numbers – 7,348 runs at 36.37 and 138 wickets at 23.46 – make excellent reading.
But Greig's contribution to Indian cricket goes deeper.
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While practising at Poona Club, he was impressed by Palwankar Baloo, a member of the ground staff.
He practised against Baloo for hours. He rewarded Baloo with 8 annas (half a rupee) every time he dismissed Greig.
Baloo's salary was four rupees, so this was a lot of money.
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He practised against Baloo for hours. He rewarded Baloo with 8 annas (half a rupee) every time he dismissed Greig.
Baloo's salary was four rupees, so this was a lot of money.
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He insisted Baloo be included for the Hindu sides that played Poona.
But Baloo was an 'untouchable'.
The Poona Brahmins objected.
Greig did not relent.
Baloo had to be picked.
His Brahmin teammates had little option but to touch the ball bowled by Baloo.
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But Baloo was an 'untouchable'.
The Poona Brahmins objected.
Greig did not relent.
Baloo had to be picked.
His Brahmin teammates had little option but to touch the ball bowled by Baloo.
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But off the field they mistreated him.
He was served lunch on a separate table in a separate plate.
He had his tea from a disposable earthen pot outside the dressing room.
And more.
But Baloo persisted.
Sure enough, he was picked to play for the Hindus in 1906-07.
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He was served lunch on a separate table in a separate plate.
He had his tea from a disposable earthen pot outside the dressing room.
And more.
But Baloo persisted.
Sure enough, he was picked to play for the Hindus in 1906-07.
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He and brother Shivram were allowed entry inside the Hindu Gymkhana as well as its cafeteria.
Greig was chief selector for the first all-Indian side toured England, in 1911.
He ensured Baloo was picked along with his brother Shivram.
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Greig was chief selector for the first all-Indian side toured England, in 1911.
He ensured Baloo was picked along with his brother Shivram.
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Baloo took 75 wickets at 20.12 with 7 five-fors in 14 matches. None of his teammates got even 50 wickets.
Shivram scored 631 runs at 28.68. Only Rustom Meherhomji (684) got more, and he averaged 24.42.
In 1923-24 Vithal, a third brother, led the Hindus in the Quadrangular.
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Shivram scored 631 runs at 28.68. Only Rustom Meherhomji (684) got more, and he averaged 24.42.
In 1923-24 Vithal, a third brother, led the Hindus in the Quadrangular.
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Greig should get some credit for this. Remember, he did this over a century ago. This is 2020, and casteism is still deeply rooted here.
Edit.
He was probably NOT called The Little Master. This is what Vasant Raiji had written in The Hambledon Men. I had mis-remembered.
He was probably NOT called The Little Master. This is what Vasant Raiji had written in The Hambledon Men. I had mis-remembered.
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