Sports
Chappelli – a glorious life
by Rex Clementine
Age is not a matter if you intend to make an impact in other peoples’ life. Pope Francis is 83. Joe Biden is 78 and Ian Chappell is 77. What has the former Australian Test captain done now, you may wonder? Well, he is working with the United Nations who are helping Afghan refugees by appealing to the Australian government to be more considerate to rebuild their lives.
“As a former Australian captain there are times you have a louder voice. If I am cranky about an issue, I feel that it is time for me to speak for people who don’t have a voice,” says Chappell, who himself is battling some challenges in life having been diagnosed with skin cancer.
His efforts in helping out Afghan refugees are revealed in a documentary that Channel Nine has done on him titled – Chappell; a glorious life. The documentary can be viewed on YouTube and it is a must watch for cricket fans as Chappell’s contemporaries and leading Australian players of other generations admire him.
Many have witnessed Chappell’s kind deeds over the years. Once when he was in Sri Lanka, the locals in the television production crew arranged a party for the rest of the crew. Among the commentators only Chappell turned up for the party. He had quietly inquired from the Director Hemant Buch who was paying for the party. Upon being told that it was the local crew, Chappell had told the Director, ‘these guys don’t get paid that much, here’s a contribution from me’ and hands out US$ 200.
It is for things like theses that people love Chappell. Former opener Keith Stackpole’s take on him is sensational, “I would give my life for him for I know he would give his for me.”
Here’s Mark Taylor’s thoughts. ‘If Ian Chappell says, ‘boys we are having a drink down the bar this Friday in Sydney’, people like Dennis Lillee will fly down from Perth.’
Names like Clive Lloyd and Mike Brearley stand out when we talk of outstanding cricket captains. Chappell was unique as well. He was different because he always wanted to win and didn’t believe in draws.
When the Australian captaincy was handed to him, it was not the most smooth transition. Bill Lawry is sacked and a journalist calls Chappell at the bar to inform him that he has been elevated as captain. The first thought that comes to Chappell’s mind is that, ‘the b******* will never get me like that.’ He then goes onto build an aura around the team. His tenure as Australia’s captain is called ‘Chappell Era’.
Rod Marsh was a pivotal cog in that Aussie wheel. “I never recall him saying well done to me even once. I think he was the greatest sports psychologist that’s ever been. I wanted him to say that but he never did. I told myself, I am going to do it better until you finally say well done to me,” recalls Marsh.
Chappell’s relationship with Don Bradman deteriorated after he becomes captain. It centers around pay disputes and he quits the job in 1975. Brother Greg is elevated as skipper.
But two years later it changes. Kerry Packer would bankroll the World Cricket Series and steamroll the world cricket establishment. The business tycoon wants Ian to captain Australia and not Greg.
Ian has his reservations as he is no longer Australia’s captain and says so to Packer. “What do you think this is a f***ing democracy. I pay the bills and you are the captain,” Packer demands.
Chappell and England captain Tony Greig have a huge rivalry. They rarely talk to each other and the animosity continues even after they quit and enter Channel Nine’s commentary panel. They are not paired together for commentaries. Most of the hostilities are from Chappell’s side and he realizes that this can not go on and they patch up and go onto become two of the finest commentators.
But what about his relationship with another England captain – Ian Botham. ‘No that will never happen,’ says Chappell.
They first fight in 1977 in a bar in Melbourne. Then it flares up again in 2010 in an Adelaide car park. They are both grandfathers by that stage! “See, if I don’t respect someone, I have a real problem not showing it,” Chappell admits.
Chappell has lived his life being himself. He has not put on a show to impress others. His leadership style was unique but there were other common traits like loyalty and trust. Anyone who aspires to lead a sporting team will do well by getting to know Chappell better. The documentary on YouTube – Chappell, a glorious life, is a good place to start.
Australia captain Alyssa Healy will retire from all forms of cricket following the upcoming series against India.
The 35-year-old wicket-keeper has more than 7,000 runs and 275 dismissals to her name in all formats of the game and led Australia to a historic 16-0 whitewash of England 8n the Ashes in 2025.
She has won the World Cup twice, with the highest individual score of 170 in a World Cup final coming against England in 2022, and the T20 World Cup on six occasions.
Healy said: “I’m still passionate about playing for Australia, but I’ve somewhat lost that competitive edge that’s kept me driven since the start, so the time feels right to call it a day.
“I’ll genuinely miss my team-mates, singing the team song and walking out to open the batting for Australia. Representing my country has been an incredible honour and I’m grateful for one last series in the green and gold.”
Healy is married to Australia fast bowler Mitchell Starc and is the niece of another Australian great in wicket keeper Ian Healy. She also already has a successful broadcasting career as a pundit and commentator.
Todd Greenberg, Cricket Australia CEO said: “Alyssa is one of the all-time greats of the game and has made an immeasurable contribution both on and off the field over her 15-year career.
“We look forward to celebrating her achievements throughout the series against India.”
Australia host India in a Test match, three one-day internationals and three T20 matches in February and March
(BBC Sports)
They began with a scrappy last-ball win to kick off WPL 2026, but there was nothing scrappy about Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s (RCB) second win, over UP Warriorz, on Monday night.
Grace Harris tore into her former franchise with a breathtaking assault, sending the ball to all parts of the DY Patil Stadium. By the time she was out for a 40-ball 85, RCB needed just seven runs to win with 50 deliveries remaining.
In an effort similar to her opening-night honours, Lauren Bell swung the new ball and troubled Warriorz’s openers in her first two overs. In trying to break the stranglehold, Harleen Deol attempted to jailbreak in her third, but could only spoon a catch to Smriti Mandhana at mid-off for a 14-ball 11. And just like that, UP Warriorz had seen two different opening pairs come and go without giving them the start they were after.
She was denied a wicket in her first over – the sixth of the innings – when Meg Lanning’s swipe landed agonisingly short of Arundhati Reddy at backward square leg, but Shreyanka Patil had Lanning hack uncharacteristically to Radha Yadav at deep midwicket off her next.
In the same over, she also had a second wicket when Phoebe Litchfield flat-batted a short ball straight to Mandhana at mid-on, shortly after having reverse-swept her for six
Coming off a four-for and an unbeaten half-century against Mumbai Indians, de Klerk began with two wickets off her first two deliveries. Kiran Navgire fell first when she heaved a length ball to cow corner, while Shweta Sehrawat was brilliantly caught at backward point by Reddy. Warriorz were in all sorts of trouble at 50 for 5.
This was the perfect fire-and-ice combination on paper. But on Monday, they were both mellower and batted risk-free for much of their unbeaten 93-run partnership. Deandra Dottin signalled a change of intent when she went after Patil in her third over – the 15th – by muscling a length ball for six over long-on. That galvanised both batters to break free; Deepti Sharma gave the perfect finish by going after Patil in a 15-run final over that helped them finish with 143.
With two rookies in their top four, RCB could’ve chosen to play safe by having Gautami Naik partner Mandhana. But they took the aggressive route, and Harris justified that decision by muscling a 22-ball half-century as RCB wiped out 78 in the powerplay alone.
The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has opened an investigation and warned of possible disciplinary action for “unacceptable behaviour of players and officials” as they clashed on the pitch on Saturday at the end of the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) quarterfinal between Algeria and Nigeria.
“CAF has referred the matters to the disciplinary board for investigation and has called for appropriate action to be taken if the identified persons were to be found guilty of any wrongdoing,” said African football’s governing body in a statement on Monday.
Tensions spilled over on the pitch at the end of the January 10 game in Marrakesh, Morocco, which Nigeria won 2-0 thanks to second-half goals by Victor Osimhen and Akor Adams.
Referee Issa Sy was shielded from irate Algeria team staff and was escorted off the field. Video clips showed Sy was still being pursued in the mixed zone for media and broadcasters as he made his way to his cabin.
Any disciplinary action could have an impact on the Super Eagles as they prepare for their semifinal showdown on Wednesday against Morocco.
“CAF strongly condemns any inappropriate behaviour which occurs during matches, especially those targeting the refereeing team or match organisers,” CAF said.
Video showed accredited media fighting in the mixed zone as they waited for players to pass through for interviews after the match.
Algeria’s federation also confirmed it had filed a complaint with CAF over Sy’s performance
“The Algerian Football Federation cannot ignore the refereeing performance observed during the last match, which raised numerous questions and caused considerable confusion,” it said in a statement.
“Certain decisions have damaged the credibility of African refereeing and do nothing to enhance the value of continental football on the international stage.”
CAF said it was also investigating incidents in Friday’s last-eight tie between the hosts and Cameroon.
Morocco won that game 2-0 in Rabat, Morocco, and the Indomitable Lions were notably unhappy at the officiating in particular the refusal to award them a penalty for a challenge on Manchester United’s Bryan Mbeumo in the second half.
(BBC Sports)
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