Ian Chappell turned 75 on September 26th - How great was he as a cricketer?

[Harsh Thakor]

On September 26th a little more than a week ago the cricketing world celebrated the 75th birthday of Ian Chappell,arguably the most impactful cricketer of his generation.Few cricketers contributed so much to influence the state of the game or shape the destiny of a cricketing side as Ian .He made an outstanding contribution with the bat ,as a slip fielder and as a skipper leading a renaissance in Australian cricket.

In a crisis in his era Ian Chappell did not have an equal overshadowing brother Greg or even Viv Richards.Statistics hardly did justice to Ian's greatness as a batsmen.On more than a dozen occasions he ressurected his team from the grave,reminiscent of a soldier fighting a lone battle in alien conditions.Ina took determination and grit in sport to it's supreme zenith and was the ultimate man for a scrap.The greatest pace quartet of the West Indies prized Ian's wicket more than even his brother Greg.Michael Holding stated that in the 1975-76 Frank Worrell trophy it was Ian's 449 runs that shaped Australia's 5-1 triumph than Greg Chappell's 702 run aggregate.A test average of 42.42,scoring 5345 runs and 14 centuries hardly y did justice to Ian's true greatness.

As a skipper Ian resembled a military commander on the field with supreme tactical genius and agression at it's greatest depth..Arguably no skipper ever could motivate players more than Ian.In 1972 in England Ian as a skipper rekindled the old fire of Australian cricket by knitting a talented bunch of individuals into world beaters by 1975-76.Ian was responsible for building the Australian cricketing empire and building the base for it to win the unofficial test championship against West Indies in 1975-76.

Ian was at his best versus rest of the world in 1972 where he scored 4 centuries and against West Indies in 196869 when he scored 4 first class hundreds against them.He was also prolific in West Indies in 1972-73 when he averaged over 77.Ian also displayed mastery against great spin bowling in India in 1969-70 ,something brother Greg never did.His most memorable knocks in officiate test cricket to me was his 156 out of 328 at Perth v West Indies in 1975-76 ,his 192 at the Oval in 1975 ,165 at Brisbane in 1968-69 v Wes Indies,138 in India in 1969-70 and his 196 at Adelaide v Pakistan in 1972-73.In 1977-78 he scored a masterly 141 v West Indies in a WSC supertest.

Imran Khan rated Ian Chappell the best Australian batsmen he ever saw ,ahead of brother Greg as well as Gary Sobers.In 1979 Sobers rated Ian to be the best batsmen i the world,ahead of even Viv and Barry Richards or Gavaskar.Dennis Lillee ranked him the best ever batsmen in a crisis.At one down position Ian scored 4279 runs at an average of 50.84 and 12 centuries.Ian averaged a spectacular 48+average on ODI's.

Thus where would Ian rank amongst the greats?As a skipper he may well rank with the top 3-4 of all be it Bradman,Imran or Worrell.When a team had it's back to the wall Ian could consistently be more effective than even Steve Waugh or Javed Miandad.Against pure pace he could have been more effective than even Tendulkar or Lara and was better player of spin than brother Greg.However in pure class or talent he was not in the league of Viv or Barry Richards or even brother Greg.Ian's batting lacked the characteristic elegance of brother Greg or technical finesse.In the final analysis Ian may just rank a notch below the likes of Javed Miandad who was more talented and Alan Border or Steve Waugh who were more prolific.He would be a certain selection in my top 100 cricketers,around 60th place amongst the all-time great cricketers,amongst the 50 best batsmen of all and amongst the 3 best captains of all time.I would select Ian to lead the world test xi of the 1970's.

In a post 1968 test xi I would select Ian Chappell to lead the Australian team and play for Australia as an opening batsmen.He opened the batting in WSC supertests in West Indies in 1979.

Ian has been a great but controversial commentator often making scathing remarks about cricketers like Geoff Boycott,Ian Botham or even Steve Waugh.He was also very abrasive on the field sledging opponents.However as a player and commentator or administrator he infused a fuel or fire into the game of cricket as few ever did .

 

[Hitman]

I turned 32 a day after

Coming to the point, he was extremely influential for Australian cricket, both as a captain and as a batsman. As for his personal issues with cricketers or cricket related personalities, the man simply refuses to let go of grudges. A player could have had an issue with him in the 60's and yet he will hold a grudge regarding that till today. It's shameful how he has belittled Steve Waugh's contribution towards Australian cricket till this day, simply because he dosen't like him personally.

As a cricket analyst, he has always been my personal favorite. But that is until he starts speaking about someone he doesn't like on a personal level. When he speaks about a cricketer he has no personal grudge for, he makes a lot of sense.

 

[Tusker]

Will you take counter arguments that I can actually back up with facts or will that get you all upset and walk away because I don't agree with your view of the world?

 

[Last Monetarist]

Love Chappelli the captain and pundit.

 

[Hitman]

Imran Khan rated Ian Chappell the best Australian batsmen he ever saw ,ahead of brother Greg as well as Gary Sobers.

Pretty irrelevant. He also rated Inzamam as the best batsman against fast bowling, and better than Sachin. We all know how true his opinions are in the real, practical world.

 

[Robert]

Never saw Chappelli play.

I’ve heard a lot of older Aussies say he was their clutchest ever. The raw numbers did not appear to back that up, but fifty average at #3 is pretty special.

As a skipper he had a bit of luck given the emergence of Lillee and Thomson, and his brilliant kid brother Greg (who was best Aussie batter I ever saw).

 

[Last Monetarist]

I would select Ian to lead the world test xi of the 1970's.

Speaking of a World Test XI for the 70s, mine would look something like this, sans throwing in the controversial South African selections.

1. Gavaskar
2. Fredericks
3. I. Chappell (c)
4. Richards
5. G. Chappell
6. Greig
7. Knott
8. Lillee
9. Thomson
10. Roberts
11. Chandrasekhar

I wanted to pick Boycott, but I don't think Chappell senior would ever countenance his selection as captain. D'ailleurs, I'd rather have the cavalier Fredericks to complement Gavaskar's obstinancy.

 

[pakistanigoneaussie]

while i dont exactly agree with him, i found this pretty amusing

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/GG5Bk93RMks" frameborder="0" allow="autoplay; encrypted-media" allowfullscreen></iframe>

 

[Robert]

Speaking of a World Test XI for the 70s, mine would look something like this, sans throwing in the controversial South African selections.

1. Gavaskar
2. Fredericks
3. I. Chappell (c)
4. Richards
5. G. Chappell
6. Greig
7. Knott
8. Lillee
9. Thomson
10. Roberts
11. Chandrasekhar

Liking it, but would push Richards up to #3, bring in Clive Lloyd for Chapelli and drop Chanders for Underwood,

 

[Last Monetarist]

Liking it, but would push Richards up to #3, bring in Clive Lloyd for Chapelli and drop Chanders for Underwood,

Both Chappelli and Chandra are sentimental selections, I want my side to be led by Chappell and I want the mystery of Chandra's exotic leg-breaks than Underwood who was a pretty steady performer when the pitches were dry and whose cutters only became interesting after it rained. Give me leg-spin any day over left-arm what-do-you-call-'ems.

 

[Harsh Thakor]

Both Chappelli and Chandra are sentimental selections, I want my side to be led by Chappell and I want the mystery of Chandra's exotic leg-breaks than Underwood who was a pretty steady performer when the pitches were dry and whose cutters only became interesting after it rained. Give me leg-spin any day over left-arm what-do-you-call-'ems.

great post and selection.totally agree.

 

[Harsh Thakor]

Liking it, but would push Richards up to #3, bring in Clive Lloyd for Chapelli and drop Chanders for Underwood,

As a pure tactician Ian Chappell was head and shoulders above Clive Lloyd and also a slightly better motivator.Also marginally better batsmen of spin or pure pace and in a crisis.Not for nothing did Sobesr place him at the top or even Imran.

 

[Harsh Thakor]

Never saw Chappelli play.

I’ve heard a lot of older Aussies say he was their clutchest ever. The raw numbers did not appear to back that up, but fifty average at #3 is pretty special.

As a skipper he had a bit of luck given the emergence of Lillee and Thomson, and his brilliant kid brother Greg (who was best Aussie batter I ever saw).

How would you compare Ian with brother Greg?

 

[Robert]

How would you compare Ian with brother Greg?

I always thought Greg the real hardman because of that fifty average and excellence against the Windies. But Ian may have been more clutch.

 

[Junaids]

Chappelli was the greatest captain there has ever been.

He was also a terrific batsman in Aussie conditions, a fearless puller, hooker and cutter in a No Helmets era in which the fastest bowlers - Lillee, Thomson, Snow, Willis, Roberts, Holding and Procter - were considerably quicker for longer spells than modern bowlers can sustain.

The problem was that he wasn’t the greatest front foot batsman against seam and swing. So he was a lesser batsman than Greg Chappell, actually quite similar to Majid Khan.

 

[Junaids]

I always thought Greg the real hardman because of that fifty average and excellence against the Windies. But Ian may have been more clutch.

“Clutch”?

What’s going on?

 

[Harsh Thakor]

Chappelli was the greatest captain there has ever been.

He was also a terrific batsman in Aussie conditions, a fearless puller, hooker and cutter in a No Helmets era in which the fastest bowlers - Lillee, Thomson, Snow, Willis, Roberts, Holding and Procter - were considerably quicker for longer spells than modern bowlers can sustain.

The problem was that he wasn’t the greatest front foot batsman against seam and swing. So he was a lesser batsman than Greg Chappell, actually quite similar to Majid Khan.

Great answer.How did Ian compare with brother Greg?better player of pace and spin?

 

[Tusker]

Chappelli was the greatest captain there has ever been.

He was also a terrific batsman in Aussie conditions, a fearless puller, hooker and cutter in a No Helmets era in which the fastest bowlers - Lillee, Thomson, Snow, Willis, Roberts, Holding and Procter - were considerably quicker for longer spells than modern bowlers can sustain.

That is until I step in and start dismantling your OLD >>>> NEW nonsense and then you will magically vanish from the thread.

 

[Tusker]

Pretty irrelevant. He also rated Inzamam as the best batsman against fast bowling, and better than Sachin. We all know how true his opinions are in the real, practical world.

And then there was silence... usually a dead giveaway that you have properly trampled on his nerves.

 

[Tusker]

Never saw Chappelli play.
.

When has that stopped you from pontificating anyhow?

 

[Hitman]

And then there was silence... usually a dead giveaway that you have properly trampled on his nerves.

A lot of players have bias towards their own countymen or towards their good friends. Is that so hard for a few fans to realize?

 

[Tusker]

A lot of players have bias towards their own countymen or towards their good friends. Is that so hard for a few fans to realize?

You have no idea how doggedly people will hold on to anything that validates their views despite the mountain of evidence to the contrary - Standard human nature and very deep-set amongst old ERA Cricket fans.

 

[Robert]

“Clutch”?

What’s going on?

A term from baseball. It means good under pressure.

 

[wrongun]

He's never in discussion in Oz as a best batsman of any era. Just a bloke good enough for Test cricket who had a few decent seasons and one or two very good ones. A good player. Not an ATG bat.

His captaincy is regarded well by many. There are a few good judges who think I.Chappel was a pretty good captain of quicks but woeful with understanding his spinners.

If the opening post is to be believed he's probably regarded higher overseas than in Oz. He'd never really be in contention for even an ATG Oz team as batsman - even in a 2nd XI he'd be up for debate.

As a captain he's in the top 5 for sure. Taylor, Benaud, Border, Ponting, Waugh, Bradman all have claims as strong as his (very early Test days perhaps too). Chapelli was very good in all departments. Perhaps not great. He didn't do much except point Lillee & Thommo to the correct ends and ignore his spinners most of the time.

 

[wrongun]

I always thought Greg the real hardman because of that fifty average and excellence against the Windies. But Ian may have been more clutch.

Ian was more outwardly and obviously combative and extrovert.

Greg was a tortured introvert with no people skills (yes, my family new him). Hence he never got a media gig of any note despite all his achievements and attempts at media. Coaching also blew up on him. All technique & theory, no ability to impart or communicate it well.

So after hearing Ian tell you how good he was & other commentators back slap him on air fora few decades, Ian seems really good. Of anyone who watched that era I've never heard anyone say Ian was a better bat.

 

[Last Monetarist]

Of anyone who watched that era I've never heard anyone say Ian was a better bat.

He wasn't, I don't think anyone here is even claiming that. You're correct that Ian Chappell was a good batsman but nowhere near the level of his brother.

It's his captaincy that is revered, because of his persona of course. To quote Gideon Haigh appropriating John Ford's comment on John Wayne to once refer to Chappell: 'The sonofabitch walked like a man.'

Here's a great old article in the Guardian underlining Chappell's enduring charm: https://www.theguardian.com/sport/blog/2014/mar/04/joy-of-six-ian-chappell

 

[Robert]

As a captain he's in the top 5 for sure. Taylor, Benaud, Border, Ponting, Waugh, Bradman all have claims as strong as his (very early Test days perhaps too). Chapelli was very good in all departments. Perhaps not great. He didn't do much except point Lillee & Thommo to the correct ends and ignore his spinners most of the time.

Did he really need spinners with those two flying in?

 

[Robert]

As a pure tactician Ian Chappell was head and shoulders above Clive Lloyd and also a slightly better motivator.Also marginally better batsmen of spin or pure pace and in a crisis.Not for nothing did Sobesr place him at the top or even Imran.

Big Clive watched Chappelli’s side bust WI up 1-5 of course.

Curious that Imran put Chappelli as the #1 Australian he bowled to - not Greg, and not AB.

And Chappelli puts Barry Richards at #1 in his ATG team of his era. He would have seen the Saffer close in smashing Lillee and the Windies quicks about in Packer cricket.

 

[Last Monetarist]

For those questioning Chappell's impact as a leader on his players, I came across the following snippet in an extract from an old cricinfo interview with Terry Jenner:

I was wary of asking him about his experience in jail. But there was no awkwardness about him. He wasn't proud of what landed him there, but he was proud of how he came out of it. "It made me a better man," he said, without a trace of rancour and bitterness.

It also made him value his friends. Ian Chappell, his captain at South Australia and in the Australian team, was one the few of his teammates to have visited in prison. "He told me to look him in the eye," Jenner said. "And then he said something I would never forget. 'Once captain, always captain.' I knew he would always be there for me."

It's hard to not be moved when reading something like that.

 

[Blistering Barnacle]

while i dont exactly agree with him, i found this pretty amusing

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/GG5Bk93RMks" frameborder="0" allow="autoplay; encrypted-media" allowfullscreen></iframe>

How annoying is it when the "host" keeps interrupting and breaking the flow of the guest.

Dude, no one wants to hear want you think. We want to hear your guest speak his mind.

 

[Slog]

I always wonder how Chappell hasn’t gotten bored of cricket

Probably he has watched and been involved in more cricket matches than anyone alive because he has been commentating non stop for three decades now and had a cricket career for decades prior to that. And he commentates literally anywhere he can get a gig and doesn’t pick and choose Australia home series etc like other commentators do

 

[Hitman]

I always wonder how Chappell hasn’t gotten bored of cricket

Probably he has watched and been involved in more cricket matches than anyone alive because he has been commentating non stop for three decades now and had a cricket career for decades prior to that. And he commentates literally anywhere he can get a gig and doesn’t pick and choose Australia home series etc like other commentators do

He is probably addicted to the game. Add to that, a workaholic.

 

[pakistanigoneaussie]

How annoying is it when the "host" keeps interrupting and breaking the flow of the guest.

Dude, no one wants to hear want you think. We want to hear your guest speak his mind.

pretty sure its sanjay manjrekar, he was trying to divert chappel's attention