Indian chiefs - Greg Chappell

[Donny]

Indians can be chiefs
By Jon Pierik in Bangalore, India
November 12, 2003

TEST legend Greg Chappell believes India are the best hope of ending Australia's winning reign and should set themselves the task of dominating world cricket for the next 25 years.

As both countries eye next month's Test series in Australia, Chappell has also implored the Indians to adopt an open and aggressive philosophy on tour and says skipper Sourav Ganguly must set the right example.

"India have got a better-balanced side than anyone apart from Australia at the moment," Chappell said.

"They have good young fast bowlers, quality spinners that we all know about, a strong batting line-up, and the fielding is improving all the time.

"There is no doubt that we will see Australia come off the peak in the next few years.

"It should be the mission of Indian cricket to be the next team that dominates world cricket in the next 25 years.

"They have the resources, the raw material to start with and the funds to put a system in place that can cause Australia a lot of problems."

But the former Australian skipper, national selector and one of the game's all-time batting greats said the difference between Steve Waugh's men and their counterparts was team spirit.

"Whether the Indians can replicate the spirit and the unity of the Australians, only time will tell," he said.

"But they certainly have what it takes to become the team that sets the benchmarks in international cricket."

India have not won a Test series in seven attempts since first heading Down Under in 1947-48.

History suggests their task is made even harder by the fact that in 126 years of Test cricket, Australia have lost only five home series to nations other than England.

[piedys]

[Donny]

Yes mate, all draws.

In the first, at Adelaide, Hughes, Marsh and Reid all debuted. Boon and Ritchie got centuries. Kapil Dev took 8/106.

Gavaskar scored 166 and Merv's first bowling return was 1/123 and Reid's was 4/113.

The second, at the M.C.G., saw the debut of another Aussie. One Steven Rodger Waugh.

Matthewes hit 100 n.o. Reid took 4/100 & 2/23. Waugh took 2/36 and scored 13 & 5. Allan Border knocked up 163 in the second innings.

The third, in Sydney, saw a mountain of runs from India - 4/600 - with Gavaskar, Srikkanth and Armanath getting tons and Boony scoring one for the Aussies.

Waugh scored 13,5,8 and 0 in his first 4 Test innings. It was to be 4 years till he notched his first Test century. He's scored another 31 since.

[piedys]

[commonwombat]

Yes Dyso,

O'Donell's test career came to a halt after his dispute with the SCG fence.
Waugh's premature entry to the Test team came as a result of:
1. the dire straits of the team due to rebel tour 1, Wessels withdrawal and injuries.
2. a concerted push from Sydney media figures like Bill O'Reilly.

Donny is correct in stating the fact that he took 4 years to score his first test ton, at Headingly in 1989. For much of the time he was sustained by his ODI form (not really separate teams in those days). In the early days he frankly looked what he was; an over promoted grade cricketer and for the first 3-4 years he was useful with the bat and ball without doing anything flash.

BTW, Dyso; am not sure that SOD may have had much of a Test career as all rounder as his bowling had not proven penetrative at Test level.

My final point will undoubtedly see voodoo needles into my furry hide. The selectors patience has certainly been vindicated in the long term, however what else should not be disputed is the fact that he was also extended far greater latitude re performance that any others of his time and since!!!!

[HAL]

Two what?

[piedys]

[Donny]

No Test ton for SOD, piedys, in fact no Test 50 even.

206 runs @ 29.42 as a batsman.

6 wickets @ 84 as a bowler.

[piedys]

D,
thanks for reply. Can i verify SOD's test stats on a site you know of?
His absence from the test team has irked me since i was a teenager.
Does Baggygreen have all these figures archived on a test by test basis?
PM me if you wish.

cheers
dyso

[commonwombat]

Dyso,

The ton that you were referring to was not in a Test match but in a lead up match against a MCC XI at Lords, a lead-up match before the tests.

In the Tests in England in 1985, Australia's bowling depth was cut badly by withdrawals (Rebel Tour of RSA) and only McDermott was consistently effective. Lawson, after a fine series against W.I, was totally ineffective. They also came across Gower in probably career best form.

With the bat, SOD has an inglorious start with a golden quacker. After that he got a few starts without going on, best score was @ 46.

[HAL]

That sounds like a plan.