By the time the Australian cricket team arrived in England in May 1977, thirteen of the touring party as well as a number of other internationals had signed up for the new venture.
At that stage, the plans for World Series Cricket were still secret. That changed when details were inadvertently leaked to journalists.
The reaction from the cricket establishment was predictably hostile. World Series Cricket was quickly labelled 'Packer’s Circus'. Particular opprobrium was reserved for Tony Greig, the England captain, not only for agreeing to join the new venture, but for his role as an agent in recruiting others.
Greig was stripped of the captaincy and although he retained his position in the team, he was largely ostracised by the authorities after that.
Packer arrived in London at the same time. Hardly known in the UK at that point, he appeared on a television show with the highly influential broadcaster David Frost to debate his concept with two cricket commentators. He proved to be so articulate and persuasive that a large number of viewers were convinced of the merits of his arguments.
The ICC attempted to broker a peace with a meeting at Lord’s. Compromise appeared to be on the table until Packer demanded that he be awarded exclusive Australian television rights.
When they refused to do so, Packer stormed out of the meeting, and battlelines between the two sides began to be formed. Within a month, the ICC had decreed that matches involving Packer teams would not be given First-class status. They also ruled that players who had signed up for the scheme would be banned from First-class and Test match cricket.
With this threat hanging over them, a number of contracted players considered withdrawing from the new series. But Packer acted quickly, meeting some of the wobblers to get them back on side, and taking legal action against any third parties trying to induce to break their contracts with him.
As further indication of his intent, Packer also backed a challenge in the British High Court to the proposed ban brought by three players – Greig, his England teammate John Snow, and the South African Mike Procter.