Hitting Out

Ian Chappell Ashley Mallett

Ian Chappell was loved by the Australian public for his no-nonsense approach to captaining his country. An exceptionally talented batsman, a superb slip-fielder and occasional leg-spin bowler, he also developed a reputation for not suffering fools gladly, and for calling a spade a spade. His seemingly abrasive personality led to clashes with the likes of Don Bradman and Kerry Packer. Swearing on TV in Australia only cemented his legendary status at home.

On the pitch he presided over a hugely successful Australian side, which featured the talents of his brother Greg (both brothers once scored a century in the same Test against New Zealand in 1973) and the fast bowlers Dennis Lillee and Jeff Thomson, and had many a notorious battle with English sides featuring the likes of Geoffrey Boycott. His mother apparently believes he's mellowed, but Chappell himself believes he has 'just got smarter with age'.

The book includes his thoughts on (recent passions of) opera and classical music ('try that on me thirty years ago and I would have said it was bullshit, there's drinking to be done'), but will also feature controversial views on Steve Waugh 'a selfish cricketer and ordinary Test captain' and details of how he's 'gone into bat' for asylum seekers in Australia. All in all, a controversial but humorous look at the career of one of the Australian greats, as told to former team-mate-turned-journalist and author Ashley Mallett.