Greg Chappell was the middle brother of three who played cricket for Australia, Ian the oldest and Trevor the youngest born 5 years later. Perhaps their most famous connection to cricketing history is the fact that all three brothers are the grandson's of Victor Richardson (played for Australia during the bodyline saga). When Greg became captain (taking over from Ian his brother in 1976/1977) it was and still is the only instance of brothers both captaining their national side. Greg was a superb and highly gifted cricketer and captain who had been groomed for the job for some years. He had the ability to decide whether to defend or attack, depending on the wicket, what shots to play, either cuts, glances or straight drives. To the opposition he seemed to be permanently at the crease, as his figures show!

 

Greg decided to join fellow Test players on the Kerry Packer World Series and was not allowed to play for Australia for 3 years after it ended. He returned to captain Australia for a further 16 matches but declined the invitation to tour England in 1981. His last ambition was realised when he captained Australia to an Ashes Series win in the 1982 /1983 season. In it he scored 2 centuries in the two matches Australia won; in Adelaide and Perth. He ended his Test career against Pakistan in 1983, scoring 182 he went past Sir Donald Bradman's total of 6,996 runs. He went on to be a national selector and tv commentator.

 

In what was probably his most controversial decision as a cricketer and captain, he instructed his brother Trevor to bowl underarm in a one day match against New Zealand. On February 1st, 1981, New Zealand required 6 runs to win off the final ball of the game. Trevor Chappell was about to bowl when his brother went up to him and told him to bowl it underarm, therefore giving the New Zealand team no chance of winning the final. Mass Media hysteria followed the match, many calling for Chappell's head. The New Zealand Prime Minister at the time called it 'a most cowardly act'.