Ian Chappell

Ian Chappell is one of the cricketing legends who played for Australia who had an individual technique of playing back and across to a ball of full length and driving wide of mid on. This former cricketer from Australia made a rather hesitant start in international cricket. He began his career by playing as a right-hand middle-order batsman and spin bowler and in 1963 -64, he batted at number three for the first time. Ian Chappell was the Captain of the Australian team from 1971to 1975. He played an important role in the breakaway World Series Cricket organization.

As a captain of the Australian team, Ian Chappell never lost a Test series which earned him the reputation of being one of the greatest captains in the history of cricket. His test match career statistics include 75 test matches with a total of 5345 runs and 20 wickets. Chappell’s ODI career statistics include a total of 16 matches in which he scored 673 runs and took 2 wickets. During his international career Ian Chappell appeared in several historic matches like the first World Cup final at Lord’s in 1975, the first ODI at the MCG in 1971 and the first day/night match at VFL Park in 1978.

Ian Chappell was also known for his blunt verbal manner which led to a number of confrontations with players of the opposition team as well as cricket administrators and umpires. After retiring from international cricket Chappell has pursued a career as a sports journalist and cricket commentator and continues to remain an important figure in Australian cricket. Ian Chappell remains an inspiration for many and in 2006; Shane Warne called Chappell the biggest influence on his career.

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