Ian Chappell, the legendary former Australian cricket captain, has officially retired from journalism after an impressive 52-year career. The 81-year-old, who played his last professional cricket match in 1980, became a renowned voice in cricket broadcasting and writing. On Sunday, he announced that he was writing his final column.
“During my playing days, I asked former Australia captain Richie Benaud if retiring was difficult. He wisely replied, ‘No, Ian. It’s easy. You’ll know when the time is right,’” Chappell shared in his farewell piece for ESPNcricinfo. “Benaud was correct. Retirement from journalism feels just like cricket — I knew it was time.”
A Voice That Defined Cricket Commentary
Following his playing career, Chappell became part of an iconic Australian broadcasting team, working alongside Richie Benaud, Bill Lawry, and Tony Greig. For over three decades, their voices became synonymous with Australian cricket, covering the game’s most memorable moments.
Chappell was known for his straightforward and candid opinions, never hesitating to critique performances with honesty. His fearless approach earned him respect, even when his remarks sparked debate.
A Passion for Writing
Though widely recognized for his television presence, Chappell’s writing career was equally remarkable. “Talented magazine and website owner Eric Beecher offered me my first writing job in 1973,” he recalled. “Later, he introduced me to Graham Perkin, editor of The Age, who gave me my first newspaper column.”
Perkin once asked if Chappell wanted a ghostwriter, to which he replied, “Let me write for six weeks, and you can judge.” He never heard back, and from that moment on, he wrote all his columns himself.
His ability to combine cricket insights with engaging storytelling kept his audience captivated for decades.
Gratitude and Reflection
As he steps away from journalism, Chappell expressed heartfelt gratitude to his longtime editors, Clayton Murzello (Mid-Day) and Sambit Bal (Cricinfo), for their support and trust in his work.
Reflecting on the evolution of writing, he remarked, “For 40 years, I’ve been writing on a computer. The ability to cut and paste is a vast improvement over using a typewriter. It’s far better than discarding and rewriting entire pages.”
Despite his passion for writing, Chappell recognized that the time had come to move on. “I wish everyone who has supported and befriended me all the best in their future endeavors,” he concluded.
A Literary Legacy
Beyond journalism, Chappell authored several books on cricket, with “Chappelli: Life, Larrikins and Cricket” being the one he found most fulfilling.
His cricket career, however, began long before the written word. Making his Test debut against Pakistan in 1964, Chappell accumulated 5,345 Test runs in 75 matches and captained Australia in 30 games. His impact extended beyond the pitch, leading to inductions into the Sport Australia Hall of Fame and the Australian Cricket Hall of Fame.
Tributes Pour In
Following his retirement announcement, tributes from cricket fans and pundits flooded in. Many expressed sadness at the end of an era but celebrated his significant contributions to cricket journalism.
Cricket writer Rex Clementine noted, “Ian Chappell could have easily relied on a ghostwriter for his columns. But he chose to craft them himself. His sharp, insightful writing will be missed.”
Former cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar also paid homage, acknowledging the emotional weight of the moment and the void left by Chappell’s departure.
The End of an Era
Ian Chappell’s retirement marks the conclusion of a historic chapter in cricket journalism. For more than five decades, he documented the sport’s evolution with unparalleled passion and authenticity. His career wasn’t just about cricket statistics; it was about capturing the essence of the game through storytelling.
Though he is stepping away from the keyboard, Chappell’s influence will endure. His words, insights, and fearless analysis have shaped cricket journalism, leaving an unforgettable legacy.
While his columns may no longer appear, his impact will continue to resonate in the annals of cricket history.