Ian Chappell calls it quits
Ian Chappell, the beloved Aussie and international cricketing icon, has finally called stumps on his celebrated, 45-year commentary career.
The 78-year-old, who rose to fame as a commentator alongside the likes of Richie Benaud, Bill Lawry and Tony Grieg on the legendary Channel 9 team, has decided to throw in the mic and bid this chapter farewell.
He told the Sydney Morning Herald, he had been thinking about his retirement for quite some time.
“I had a minor stroke a few years back and I got off lucky. But it just makes everything harder,” Chappell said.
“And I just thought with all the travel and walking up stairs and things like that, it’s all just going to get harder.
“Then I read what Rabbits (recently retired 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 played cricket for 16 years through the 1960s and 70s, which included being a key figure in the World Series Cricket before retiring from the sport in 1980. His legendary career included 75 tests and 673 runs in 16 ODI matches at an average of 48.07. Chappell then went on to jump straight behind the mic in 1980 for Channel 9 and never looked back.
Indian commentator Harsha Bhogle posted: “Never pulled a punch, told it as it is, never talked down to anyone, wonderful professional & my role model for broadcasting work ethic. The great #IanChappell thinks it is time to retire from broadcasting. Was a privilege to work with him & I hope that proud voice is always heard.”
Never pulled a punch,told it as it is, never talked down to anyone, wonderful professional & my role model for broadcasting work ethic. The great #IanChappell thinks it is time to retire from broadcasting. Was a privilege to work with him & I hope that proud voice is always heard
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) August 15, 2022
Former Indian star turned commentator Sanjay Manjrekar tweeted: “My idol, my mentor, the greatest blessing I have had as commentator was the company of Ian Chappell the commentator. Happy retirement Chappelli!”
Seven Cricket commentator Lisa Sthalekar added: “Oh. When I first wanted to get into commentary, Ian Chappell was extremely kind in sitting down with me & giving me his tips of the trade. I certainly wouldn’t be where I am if it wasn’t for his help & how he and the rest of @wwos team shaped cricket broadcast.”
Oh 😔 when I first wanted to get into commentary, Ian Chappell was extremely kind in sitting down with me & giving me his tips of the trade. I certainly wouldn’t be where I am if it wasn’t for his help & how he and the rest of @wwos team shaped cricket broadcast. #Thankful https://t.co/ofthKPoXZj
— Lisa Sthalekar (@sthalekar93) August 15, 2022
“15yrs on from the thrill of having Chapelli summarise with me on my first ever intl commentary with TMS, turns out I was involved for his last season of commentary, with ABC. A total icon of Nine’s Wide World of Sport. Glad we’ll still get to read his forthright columns,” BBC commentator Alison Mitchell said.