Greg Chappell — Australia's Most Elegant Batter
Greg Chappell's career: 7,110 Test runs, 24 centuries, Australia captain, technically perfect batting, the underarm controversy, and his role in shaping Australian cricket for a decade.
Frequently asked questions
What is Greg Chappell's Test batting average?
Greg Chappell scored 7,110 runs in 87 Tests at an average of 53.86, including 24 centuries. He captained Australia in 48 Tests between 1975 and 1983, winning 21 and losing 13. He is a member of the ICC Cricket Hall of Fame.
What was the underarm bowling incident?
In February 1981, Australia's captain Greg Chappell instructed his brother Trevor to bowl the final delivery of an ODI match against New Zealand underarm along the ground — making it impossible to hit the six New Zealand needed to tie the match. Australia won, but the incident outraged cricket fans worldwide, prompted rule changes, and remains one of the sport's most controversial moments.
Was Greg Chappell a better batter than Ian Chappell?
By statistics, yes — Greg Chappell averaged 53.86 to Ian's 42.42. Greg's technique was also widely considered more classically correct and elegant. Ian was considered the harder competitor and more influential leader. They are typically regarded as two of the three greatest batters of their era (alongside Viv Richards), each dominant in different ways.