Former Australia captain Ian Chappell, whose ‘innings’ behind the microphone was as impressive as in front of the wicket, has decided to call time on his commentary career.
The 78-year-old, whose celebrated commentary career spanned 45 years, revealed his decision to the Sydney Morning Herald.
Known for his incisive views on the game and his straightforwardness while dealing with all kind of topics, Chappell formed a famous quartet for Channel Nine with Richie Benaud, Bill Lawry and Tony Greig.
In 2019, Chappell was diagnosed with skin cancer and underwent five weeks of treatment. “I remember the day when I knew I’d had enough of playing cricket," he said.
“I looked at the clock and it was five past 11 on a day of play and I thought, ‘S**t, if you’re clock-watching at that time, I have to go’. “So when it comes to commentary, I've been thinking about it. I had a minor stroke a few years back and I got off lucky. But it just makes everything harder. And I just thought with all the travel and, you know, walking upstairs and things like that, it’s all just going to get harder.
“Then I read what Rabbits (legendary rugby league commentator Ray Warren) said with retirement and it really struck home when I read the bit where he said, ‘you’re always one sentence closer to making a mistake’.”
Chappell, who was a top order batter, scored 5345 runs at an average of 42.20 during his Test playing career from 1964-1980. He also captained in 30 matches.He also played 16 ODIs between 1971 and 1980. Chappell has had a long relationship with Channel Nine and he looked back at the good and bad times.“Kerry (Packer, the media mogul who owned Channel Nine) wanted to sack me a couple of times," Chappell said.
“He used to get the s***s about one-day cricket, because that was his baby. And I might have said something about one-day cricket. With Kerry it was just like a storm — you’d let it blow over till the next one came.” And how would he like to be remembered as a commentator? “It’s up to other people to decide what they think of me and some will think I’ve been all right. Some will think I’ve been a pr**k. That doesn’t bother me one bit.”That’s a typical Ian Chappell reply.
