Ian Chappell retired from international cricket in 1977 and started his cricket commentary career after that. He’s been a commentator for the last 45 years but finally decides to retire. He revealed that media tycoon Kerry Packer desired to sack him on various events in the middle of World Series Cricket.
He represented the country in 75 Test matches via microphone. He was a decent player as he finished with 5345 runs in Test cricket. His commentary was enjoyed by the Australian crowd that he started in 1977.
He called off his international cricket career in 1980, scored 14 Test centuries, and was the most fired by Kerry Packer.
Australian Legend Ian Chappell end his 45-year-old commentary career
“I remember the day when I knew I’d had enough of playing cricket,” the 78-year-old told the Sydney Morning Herald. I looked at the clock and it was five past 11 on a day of play and I thought, ‘S***, if you’re clock-watching at that time, I have to go,” he said
He revealed how his initial days of commentary were packed with uneasiness due to the mood swings of Kerry Packer.
“Kerry wanted to sack me a couple of times. He used to get the shits about one-day cricket because that was his baby … With Kerry, it was just like a storm, you’d let it blow over till the next one came,”
Ian Chappell also said that the audience remembers him as a “prick” but he strongly believes that commentary was his true calling. He is also unsure about the existence and future of test cricket due to the increasing popularity of franchise-based cricket across the globe.
He threw light on the fact that how youngsters are more interested on playing T20 leagues these days. Though, he’s also sure that the format is going to stay in the coming years but he’s unsure about the future. “Test cricket won’t die in my lifetime. But who’ll be playing it? That’s the big question,” Chappell said.
Read more: Shakib Al Hasan is set to lead the Bangladesh team till T20 World Cup 2022
