Former Australian cricketer Ian Chappell has issued a stern warning to Pat Cummins and the Australian team regarding the potential move of Travis Head to the opener’s position in the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy against India.

Following the retirement of David Warner from Test cricket, Australia find themselves grappling with a dilemma at the top of the batting order. While Steve Smith temporarily filled the opener’s role, his lackluster performance—averaging just 28.5—has sparked discussions about reverting him back to his natural number four position. The shift in dynamics at the top of the order has left selectors pondering the best possible options to ensure a solid start against a formidable Indian bowling lineup.

Chappell’s insights reflect a broader concern regarding Australia’s strategy as they prepare for the high-stakes series against India. The pressure to find a reliable opener is mounting, especially given the expectations surrounding the team in a home series. With past performances weighing heavily on the players, the management must navigate this challenge carefully to build a competitive batting order.

Concerns about Travis Head’s ability to adapt

Chappell’s primary concern lies in the possibility of Head, who has enjoyed significant success at the top in white-ball formats, being tasked with the responsibility of opening in Test cricket. He emphasized that the demands of Test cricket are far more complex than those in limited-overs formats.

In his column for ESPNcricinfo, Chappell articulated his views, stating, “Head opening in Test cricket is based on his unbridled success facing the new ball in both 50-over and T20 cricket. There’s no doubt Head, with his ultra-aggressive style, is the ideal player to open in the two short forms of the game. However, Test cricket is an entirely different proposition.”

Chappell’s warning serves as a reminder that while Head has excelled in limited-overs formats, adapting to the nuances of Test cricket—such as handling prolonged spells from quality bowlers and adjusting to varying pitch conditions—may prove to be a significant challenge.

Also READ: Glenn Ma??xwell picks three game-changers f??or Team India ahead of Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25

Risks of targeting India’s bowling attack

Chappell elaborated that moving Head to the opening position in an attempt to unsettle India’s star bowler Jasprit Bumrah would place undue pressure on the batter. He pointed out that Bumrah, along with fellow fast bowler Mohammad Siraj, are un??likely to change their attacking strategies, making the task even more daunting for Head.

“Any move to open with Head that is designed to unsettle Jasprit Bumrah is asking a lot of the batter. Bumrah, and to a lesser extent Mohammad Siraj, are unlikely to be battered into altering their attacking mentality,” Chappell added.

Also READ: Steve Smith picks the be??st fast bowler across formats ahead of Border-Gavaskar Trophy ??2024-25

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Former Australia cricketer Ian Chappell believed that England will be formidable opponents in the Ashes 2025-26 series if key factors align in their favor. According to Chappell, England possess?es the necessary tools to challenge Australia on their home turf, but they need to perform?? cohesively.

Historic Ashes rivalry between England and Australia

Ben Stokes�English team is set to face Australia in the highly anticipated Ashes Test ser?ies in 2025. After a thrilling 2-2 series draw in England in 2023, Stokes and his team are determined to reclaim the Ashes urn, which Australia have held since 2015. The last two Ashes series on English soil ended in 2-2 draws, while Aust??ralia have dominated on their home ground. Since 2015, Australia have won both home series, both times with a commanding 4-0 victory. The upcoming 2025 Ashes will be played in Australia, presenting a significant challenge for England. Considering England’s recent form in Tests in Australia, Stokes faces a daunting task in his quest to bring the Ashes back home.

Ian Chappell’s list of England players who could challenge Australia

In his column for ESPNCricinfo, Chappell praised England’s strong and aggressive batting line-up. He highlighted the contributions of the team’s latest batting sensation, Jamie Smith, who has been exceptional in the Test series against West Indies. Chappell also commended Zak Crawley and Harry Brook for their aggressive play, as well as the experience and reliability of Joe Root, England’s No. 1 batter. Chappell believed that if these players fire together, they can significantly trouble Australia.

“England has an attacking batting line-up, which they’ve bolstered with the inclusion of a solid wicketkeeper-batter in Jamie Smith. The players who could cause Australia concern are Joe Root for his sheer ability, and Zak Crawley and Harry Brook because of their aggression and capacity to score quickly. If Stokes recaptures his batting form he would fall into that category, especially as he’s bowling again and taking important wickets,” Chappell wrote.

Also READ: ‘Proving some people wrong…�England ??pacer Jofra Archer reveals his Ashes amb??ition

Crucial area of concern

Chappell emphasized England’s potent pace attack, featuring the addition of Gus Atkinson and a fit Jofra Archer. He emphasized this formidable combination can pose serious challenges to the Australian batters. However, Chappell also pointed out a crucial area of concern for England – their difficulty in dismissing lower-order batters quickly, which has led to conceding significant runs.

“Choosing the right type of player to succeed in Australia is imperative. However, the only way England can win a tough series is if their fast bowlers perform and they hold their chances. A strong England side to tour Australia would include a fit Atkinson, Wood, and hopefully Jofra Archer, to ensure the seam bowlers are complemented by fast men. The Australian batting is vulnerable, especially without the aggressive opening talents of David Warner,” the 80-year-old added.

“In addition to catching well, the England team has to learn to dismiss the lower order cheaply. Despite having an excellent attacking captain – the right leader for an Australia tour – England’s record against lower-order batters is often abysmal,” Chappell concluded.

Also READ: ECB ch??ief gives final?? verdict on Pakistan hosting the Champions Trophy 2025 amid India’s uncertain stance

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India and England are poised for the upcoming final three matches of the Test series, marking their return after a shor??t break subsequent to the Vizag game. The Indian team clinched victory in the second Test and levelled the series after England registered a victory in the first game. Now all the attention is now directed towards the crucial third game scheduled to commence in Rajkot from February 15.

Ian Chappell predicts the outcome of India-England Test series

In his insightful column for ESPNcricinfo, former Australian cricketer Ian Chappell has astutely observed that, under the current circumstances, England are poised to give India a formidable challenge in the upcoming three games of the Test series. Chappell, acknowledging India will clinch the series victory eventually, has emphasized th?e arduous battle that awaits them. Furthermore, he has accentuated the transformation in the current English side, noting a notable shift from the team that toured India in 2021.

“As the home side India should eventually win a tough series, but it has a real battle on their hands. England under the aggressive leadership of Stokes are a far cry from the poorly captained Joe Root team that capitulated against spin on their last tour of the country. This India versus England contest is shaping up as it should: a tough five-match encounter between two talented sides,” Chappell said.

Also READ: Jack Leach rule?d out from England tour of India 2024; ECB shares its stance on replacement

Chappell lauds shift to aggressive mindset in Test matches

Chappell has further praised skipper Ben Stokes for changing the players’ mindset to play aggressively and strive for victory from the opening ball of the Test match.

“Much of England’s success has been attributed to Bazball – the desire to score quickly and tactically rattle the opposition – but this is a misnomer. What Stokes has really done is set out to achieve victory from ball one by playing aggressive cricket in all aspects of the game. Stokes has been extremely smart to adopt such an approach and his aggressive tactics have brought England great success in the win column,” the 80-year-old concluded.

Also READ: As??hes hero Chris Woa??kes predicts the outcome of India-England Test series

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Following a lackluster ODI World Cup 2023 performance in India, Babar Azam‘s tenure as captain of the Pakistan cricket team concluded abruptly.

The backdrop of captaincy upheaval and new appointments

Despite optimistic expectations for a rebound post the disappointing Asia Cup, Pakistan’s fifth-place finish in the ten-team tournament led to Azam’s voluntary relinquishment of the captaincy. The subsequent appointments by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) saw Shan Masood taking charge for Tests and Shaheen Afridi for T20Is.

Also READ: Australian spinner Nathan Lyon shares his honest thoughts on Eng??land’s ‘bazballâ€?approach

Ian Chappell’s reflection on Pakistan’s captaincy legacy

The upcoming month brings Pakistan back into action as they embark on a challenging tour of Australia for a three-Test series commencing on December 14. In a recent discussion on the Wide World of Sports, legendary Australian cricketer turned commentator, Ian Chappell, expressed e??mpathy for Azam, recognizing his excellence as a player. However, Chappell also alluded to the consistent trend of captaincy changes, deeming it as characteristi??c of Pakistan cricket.

“Yeah that’s a pity, I think Babar’s a very good player. He’s not leaving the Pakistan side and maybe they can find a better captain. But it’s typical of Pakistan, they change captains (frequently),” Chappell was quoted as saying by Hindu??stan Times.

Historic opportunity for Pakistan under Shan Masood’s leadership in Australia

Under the new leadership of Masood, Pakistan faces the formidable challenge of guiding the team to victory in Australia. This opportunity presents a chance to etch the team’s name in the annals of cricketing history by becoming the first Pakistan side to secure a test-series win in Australia. The upcoming series will test Masood’s leadership skills and the team’s ability to adapt to the challenging conditions down under.

Also READ: Ricky Ponting ??sheds light on the decision to not pick Travis Head in IPL 2023 auction

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After a disappointing campaign in the ODI World Cup 2023, the Pakistan cricket team braces itself for another formidable challenge â€?a three-match Test series in Australia. The upcoming tour is set to test the mettle of the Pakistan’s squad, facing the daunting conditions and the prowess of the formidable Australian bowling attack.

Pakistan’s historical red-ball struggles in Australia

Pakistan’s red-ball history in Australia is marred by struggles, with the team yet to secure a Test series win in the challenging Australian conditions. Despite occasional individual victories, a series triumph has remained elusive for Pakistan. The last tour in 2019/20 resulted in a 0-2 defeat, extending their winless streak to five Tests against Australia.

Ian Chappell’s warning and test record reminder

Cricket pundit Ian Chappell has issued a stern warning to Pakistan, emphasizing the necessity to overcome their historical Test struggles in Australia. Chappell highlights the significant blemish in Pakistan’s record, suggesting that rectifying this flaw is imperative for any chance of success in the upcoming series.

“The problem with Pakistan is they don’t have a great record in Australia, even when they had good sides who could bat and bowl. They’ve got some good quickies at the moment but the bounce of Australian pitches has always troubled them,” Chappell was quoted as saying by ?Wide World of Sports.

“If you look at the Australian side, they might be on the wane a bit, particularly when Warner goes but they’ve still got a very good attack and it’s a good pace attack. Starc, Cummins, Hazlewood, those blokes will worry Pakistan with that extra bounce,” the 80-year-old concluded.

Also READ: Pakistan legend Wasim Akram explores the idea of ‘playoffs�instead of ‘semifinals??�for the ICC events

Shan Masood’s leadership challenge

As Shan Masood assumes the captaincy reins from Babar Azam, who resigned from all formats, the leadership transition adds another layer of complexity to Pakistan’s mission. Masood faces the formidable task of steering the team to victory in Australia, breaking the jinx that has plagued them in previous tours.

Challenging tour itinerary

The tour itinerary itself adds to the complexity, with the opening Test set in Perth followed by engagements in the iconic Boxing Day Test at the MCG and the New Year’s Test at the SCG. The diverse conditions and challenging venues will require strategic planning and exceptional performance from the Pakistan squad to rewrite their Test history in Australia.

Also READ: Form?er Pakistan cricketer Ramiz Raja p?asses huge remarks on football icon Cristiano Ronaldo

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Cricket fans around the world are anxiously anticipating the eagerly awaited ODI World Cup 2023 final featuring India and Australia, set to unfold at the iconic Narendra ?Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad this Sunday.

Throughout the multi-team tournament, numerous players showcased remarkable consistency, leaving a lasting impression with their splendid cricket performances. In the midst of this, Ian Chappell, the former Australian cricketer and cricke??t legend, ?has singled out a standout player whom he considers the premier batter of the current era.

Ian Chappell picks the best batter of the current era

Chappell, known for his astute observations, declared Indian maestro Virat Kohli as the undisputed best batter of the current era. Chappell lauded Kohli’s attitude and approach towards batting. He commended the 36-year-old’s dedication to fitness, emphasizing Kohli’s remarkable running between the wickets as a testament to his commitment to staying in prime physical condition.

“Let’s go back to Kohli first. He doesn’t anymore but there was a point in his career where he averaged over 50 in all three formats. Now, that’s remarkable performance. I think Kohli is probably the best batsman of this era,” said Chappell ??in a chat with Wide World of Sports.

Also READ: ICC announces the match officials for ODI World ?Cup 2023 final between India and Australia

“I like his attitude. I heard him interviewed about batting and I think’s he’s got a terrific approach to batting. The other thing to look at is his fitness. He is 36-years of age, have a look at how he was running between the wickets. He is obviously put fitness right up there,” added Chappell.

Phenomenal campaign in World Cup 2023

Chappell’s endorsement of Kohli comes on the back of the Indian captain’s stellar performance in the ongoing ODI World Cup. Kohli has etched his name in the record books by amassing a remarkable 711 runs in just 10 innings, establishing a new record for the highest run tally in a single edition of the men’s ODI World Cup.

Kohli’s consistency has been a standout feature of his campaign, highlighted by three centuries and five fifties. The former Indian skipper’s masterful knock of 117 against New Zealand in the semifinal marked his 50th ODI hundred, surpassing the legendary Sachin Tendulkar.

Also READ:?? Matthew Hayden predicts?? the winner of ODI World Cup 2023 | India vs Australia

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Former Australian cricketer Ian Chappell has suggested areas of improvement for the current Indian Test team while admitting that the Virat Kohli-led side is a very good all-round outfit that has?? proved its potential in recent times.

Chappell reckoned that in order to remain at the top, Team India needs to find the right balance, especially the middle-order. He even suggested three players that can take vice-captain Ajinkya Rahane’s place at number 5 in the Test batting line-up.

Notably, Rahane has struggled to score runs since his matc?h-winning century in Melbourne against Australia last year. The experienced lad has been far inconsistent and has only scored 372 runs in 11 Tests at a dreadful average of 19.57 this year.

Chappell suggested the names of wicketkeeper-batsman Rishabh Pant, all-rounder pair of Ravindra Jadeja, and Hardik Pandya to form a strong middle-order. He also picked Ravichandran Ashwin to balance the side perfectly.

“A middle-order that reads Jadeja, Rishabh Pant, Pandya and Ashwin should provide the runs expected of that section. With three fast bowlers to follow, the batting is then supported by a versatile attack. That’s the advantage of having a strong, well-balanced attack – you don’t need huge scores to chase victory,” wrote Chappell in his column for ESPNcricinfo.

The 77-year-old believed the advantage of having such middle-order is that it’s interchangeable according to match situations. Chappell felt that the trio of Pant, Jadeja, and Pandya can all bat at number five and can also come down the order as per the circumstances of a given match.

“The other good point about that middle order is that it’s interchangeable. Skill-wise, Pant is the best batter of that lot. He’s capable of restraint when the situation demands, so he could easily handle No. 5, especially when India bat first. However, if he’s had a long stint in the field, he could slide down the order to allow Jadeja to come in at five. Pandya also has the potential to handle No. 5, and given encouragement, he could fulfil the role,” added the former Aussie skipper.

The South Australian also admitted the downside of Rahane’s absence as India would lose a player with tactical inputs. But Chappell said that it could be compensated by making Rohit Sharma as vice-captain.

“The only downside would be the loss of Ajinkya Rahane’s tactical input and his slip fielding to the spinners. Nevertheless, Rohit Sharma is now an acclaimed captain, and he’s capable of handling the vice-captaincy role,” Chappell added further.

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Test cricket is considered the most difficult format among the three. Experts opine that red ball games are the truest form of cricket and a challenging character examination. Moreover, they also believe that it’s only the bowlers who can win their side a test match since it involves bundling the opposition, else the contest could end in a draw.

Former Australian captain Ian Chappell recently, in an interview, named his top five best bowlers out of the current lot in the longest format of the game. Chappell went with Australian speedster Pat Cummins as his first choice. The 77-year-old asserted that Cummins didn’t lose hope in the fourth Test of the Border Gavaskar Trophy 2020/21 against India. Even though the home team was on the brink of losing the match, Cummins used his tactics of ??bowling short deliveries when other Aussie bowlers had given up.

“If you want me to pick one out of these five as the best then I think for everything that he contributes I have to go with Pat Cummins. The example I would cite was the last Test against India at the Gabba when Australia produced that ridiculous tactic of bowling bouncers for an hour. Mitchell Starc was shocked to pieces he had nothing to come up with but somehow or the other Cummins gave everything he had in the last hour. I have the good fortune to captain Dennis Lillee and Dennis was always the last guy in our team who thought victory was impossible and I put Pat Cummins in that same category,” Chappell told ESPNcricinfo.

The Adelaide-born next chose India’s paceman Ishant Sharma. On being asked why he snubbed England’s veteran swing bowler James Anderson, Chappell pointed out that Anderson hadn’t played much cricket in the past few years due to injuries. Hence, he preferred Ishant over Anderson.

“Ishant’s record if I see since looking at his stats since 2018, his record is extremely good. But if you narrow it down to best swing bowler and probably the best swing bowler of all time then I would say Jimmy Anderson as number 1. But Jimmy hasn’t played a lot, he has a lot of injuries. When he is playing he is very good but he has missed a lot of cricket and that’s probably the only reason,” Chappell divulged.

The vetran cricket analyst selected India’s spinner Ravichandran Ashwin over Australia’s tweaker Nathan Lyon. Chappell reckoned that Lyon usually leaks many runs on the onside when bowling to right-handers, which shouldn’t be the case.

“I think Ashwin is a better bowler than Nathan Lyon. Have a look at Nathan Lyon’s strike rate, you are talking in the 70s and I am going back to 2018. I think runs get scored through the onside when he [Lyon] is bowling to the right-handers and that really just shouldn’t happen. Yes, he is a fine bowler but I think Ashwin is a better bowler,” Chappell enunciated.

Chappell had South Africa’s Kagiso Rabada and India’s Mohammed Shami in mind as the next two bowlers.

Chappell also lauded Team India for having a ?good reserve ?of pacers who could replace?? and chip in when the side needed them the most.

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Former Australia captain Ian Chappell has heaped praises on the Indian bowling attack saying that India has enough skilled bowlers to make ??the day for their team.

This comment comes after Chappell showered his opinion on the current challenges cr??icketers are facing during the pandemic. The A??ussie legend observed that the bio-bubble which the players have to follow is taking a toll on their physical and mental health, and the players find it hard to stay afresh.

“The Covid-ravaged world has meant cricketers spend extended periods in bubbles, which challenges their skills and their mental health. It has also resulted in scheduling that has Test matches crammed together, which is physically and mentally demanding, especially for the fast bowlers,” Chappell wrote in his column for ESPNCricinfo.

He also cited how the ??hosts during the India-Australia series wore out in the bowling department.

Chappell stated that Australia used the same bowling attack in all four Tests, whereas India got the opportunity to rotate their bowl??ers due to injuries.

“This was highlighted in the last Australia-India series, where the home side used the same fast-bowling trio in all four Tests. As the Australian pace bowlers wore down in the final stages of the series, their Indian counterparts may have caught a break as injuries meant they had to constantly change personnel,” the 77-year-old added.

The Indian side on tour to Australia suffered many injuries that saw senior players warming the bench and?? youngsters stepping up to their roles.

The Unley-born further applauded?? the Indian team for their bench strength which rose to the occasion.

“India is one of the few teams who have enough skilled quick bowlers in reserve to meet the challenges of the schedule and still remain competitive.”

Such encouragi??ng comments from the legendary cricketer would serve as a much-needed shot in the arm for the Indian bowling attack?, which includes many young faces.

India will next face New Zealand in the ICC World Test Championship (WTC) final scheduled on June 18, followed by a 5-Test bilateral clash against England.

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