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GILCHRIST NO HEALY
Ian Chappell blasts the Aussies:
People have been talking a lot of nonsense about this being the best team ever but it’s not even the best Australian side of the last decade. McGrath, Warne and Gillespie all played under Mark Taylor when they were younger and they had Ian Healy, Taylor and Mark Waugh to field for them. No way is Gilchrist anywhere near as good as Healy as a wicketkeeper.
The Fourth Test begins on Thursday. Australia needs only to win one of the next two matches to retain the Ashes.
(Via Stewart Mc, deep in the UK)
He is right about one thing, the team now isn’t anywhere near the best ever. You keep hearing this is the best team we’ve sent to England or some crap, it’s not. The team is mostly out of form, they’re even having trouble even stopping the ball in the field, they almost lost the Ashes for christ sake.
Posted by Aging Gamer on 2005 08 22 at 01:52 PM • permalinkThe vultures descend quickly don’t they. Before this series Gilchrist was bracketed with Bradman as the only automatic selections in all time best Aussie team. As for Healy, he was always a favourite of the Chappells. He was only selected over the superior gloveman Greg Dyer because of Greg Chappell’s influence (guess what state I’m from).
Still, close Ashes in England aren’t that rare. I remember after we thrashed the poms in 74-75 in Oz and then went to England the next northern summer. Despite the Lillee/Thommo attack we almost lost that series. Saved by some vandalism on a pitch at one stage i think. The difference in recent years has been that Pom teams have been so awful which has, I agree, made recent Oz teams look better than maybe they were.
*chappelli has always come across as a somewhat bitter person, there are certain people he doesn’t like and takes every opportunity giving them a serve.
he always had a big feud with bobby simpson because simmo came back to play for australia during the world series era and chappelli has never forgiven him…..so much so that chappelli even said that a cricket side didn’t need a coach as the captain should run the show, this was in the 80’s when simmo was coach of australia and was instrumental in turning around our fortunes.
I’ve never had a problem with the fact that Gilly isn’t that good a wickkeeper. He is good enough to keep wickets for Australia, but not the best I’ve seen or read about.
But, when we look at his batting and his ability to take a game by the scruff of the neck, I agree with the pundits who say Gilly would be the third man selected when naming an all time best team - behind Bradman and Sobers. One ordinary series - so far - shouldn’t change that.
As for Chappelli, well he seems to be a well-balanced Australian - he has a chip on both shoulders.
Anyway he has given me the shits ever since I saw him carrying on about reffos and the Tampa, etc..?
Is it true that Beefy Botham once knocked him arse over head?Chappelli has often shot his mouth off after putting blanks in it.
The real point is that this team, on its long record, and even on their current statistics, is STILL our best TEAM ever.
And I predict Gilly will play a big part in keeping the Ashes in the near future, including taking some big catches…
Back to Nostaglia Land, Ian.
[He’s my age, too, so it’s not ageism.]Tim,
Australia already has the Ashes. They only need to draw the next two games to retain them.
I was at a corporate do once where Gilly was the guest of honour (also got to ogle the World cup and one of Bradman’s caps. Oooooo). When asked about his batting technique and what he does to when he’s in a form slump, Gilly replied that he always bats the same way regardless of the situation, so he never has a form slump - it’s just that sometimes he gets out early.
#6 my vague recollection of the storey is that Botham threatened to glass him during an altercation in a pub, and Chappell turned and ran. Never liked Chappelli - seems like he’s got a mean streak a mile wide. Favourite recollection is of him commentating on Channel 9, there’s a cut to an ad. break, but microphone still on and Chappel’s voice comes over ‘who’s the fuckin’ cunt who…’. When the ad breaks over there’s another guy in his chair. A few minutes later Chappelli comes back on all sheepish and apologises for his language. Not seen for another month or 2 - Packer suspended him. Haha.
I’ve been thinking about Chappell’s odd claim that the Oz team is weaker now than years ago.
Maybe in catching a bit, but otherwise how does his claim stack up? Not well.The team has two absolute all-time stars that continue to shine - McGrath and Warne. They must be greater NOW than then, surely..
Martyn has a better record than Mark Waugh, Langer than Slater or Marsh, Hayden certainly matches Taylor, and Ponting’s record equals or betters Steve Waugh’s at the same career stage.
Clarke and Katich are both big early achievers too.
The 2 Gillies have an under par three games and suddenly the team’s washed up?Let’s just give England some credit for making a fight of it at last. Maybe they WILL get a great team, but we still HAVE one.
Chappell’s listening to all the ridiculous English propaganda. Before a ball was bowled one paper claimed they were on the ‘brink’ of claiming the Ashes. Let’s see.
Chappell should remember that his “great record” as captain is largely thanks to his kid brothed, Lillee and Thommo, Marsh and Dougie. As a commentator he almost makes me wish I had tinnitus! One of the few times I thank God for the ABC.
I have never forgiven Chappell for the gutless despicable stunt he pulled when SA were playing WA. Justin Langer’s uncle, Rob, had played the ball and was walking down the pitch to do some gardening. Chappell called for the ball and ran him out.
Real classy. I hope Nine drop the miserable sod and pick up Slater, who I think has done a pretty good job and has restrained himself admirably from commenting on the umpiring, which has been worse than the AFL.
Glad to see Tait getting some wickets!
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I agree the Australians have gone off the boil, and were probably slightly better with the Waughs and Mark Taylor in the team.
But Healy for Gilchrist? No way. Healy was a marginally better keeper but the two are miles apart as batsmen. Not even close.
If Gilchrist had played in Chappelli’s day, he would have been the second best batsman in the team behind Greg Chappell. And Rod Marsh’s career would have gone the way as his son’s – playing for Tasmania.
Also, I think I would prefer having Brett Lee or an in-form Jason Gillespie in my team ahead of 90s fast bowlers like Merv or McDermott.