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Greg Chappell: Fierce Focus
Greg Chappell was the outstanding Australian batsman of his generation. Though he had an appetite for big scores, it was his calm brow and courtly manner that bowlers found just as disheartening. When he followed his brother Ian into the Australian captaincy, his feat of scoring centuries in each innings of his captaincy debut has been unequalled. After retiring he went into coaching, spending some time with South Australia and working as a consultant at Pakistan’s National Cricket Academy. In 2005 he was appointed coach of the Indian national cricket team on a two-year term—a stint that included a stormy public falling out with the captain, Sourav Ganguly. He has been Head Coach of Cricket Australia’s Centre of Excellence in Brisbane and in 2010 Greg Chappell was made Cricket Australia’s first full-time selector and National Talent Manager—a position of unequalled power. In this book Greg Chappell will reflect upon how things have changed since he grew up playing cricket in his backyard with his brothers Ian and Trevor; how Australia’s fortunes have see-sawed over the years; the great teams and the great players; the scandals and the opportunities. He has been a cricketer, captain, commentator and selector—he has seen it all.
304 pages, Hardcover
First published November 1, 2011
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About the author
Malcolm Knox
36 books48 followersMalcolm Knox was born in 1966. He grew up in Sydney and studied in Sydney and Scotland, where his one-act play, POLEMARCHUS, was performed in St Andrews and Edinburgh. He has worked for the SYDNEY MORNING HERALD since 1994 and his journalism has been published in Australia, Britain, India and the West Indies.
His first novel Summerland was published to great acclaim in the UK, US, Australia and Europe in 2000. In 2001 Malcolm was named one of the Sydney Morning Herald's Best Young Australian novelists. He lives in Sydney with his wife Wenona, son Callum and daughter Lilian. His most recent novel, A Private Man, was critically acclaimed and was shortlisted for the Commomwealth Prize and the Tasmanian Premier’s Award.
His first novel Summerland was published to great acclaim in the UK, US, Australia and Europe in 2000. In 2001 Malcolm was named one of the Sydney Morning Herald's Best Young Australian novelists. He lives in Sydney with his wife Wenona, son Callum and daughter Lilian. His most recent novel, A Private Man, was critically acclaimed and was shortlisted for the Commomwealth Prize and the Tasmanian Premier’s Award.
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
December 4, 2014
This is a book that I've been waiting for, for most of my adult life. I'm pleased to write that the wait has been worthwhile. Gregory Stephen Chappell was arguably the most significant Australian batsman after Don Bradman, was Australian Captain during tumultuous times in the 1970s and '80s, and was one of the driving forces behind World Series Cricket. After his playing days, he has had stints as selector and coach, and remains involved in Australian cricket to this day.
What is clear from the book is that Chappell, from the earliest age, was totally captivated by the game of cricket. This is perhaps not so surprising, given that his grandfather Victor Richardson was himself a former Australian captain, his father was a well respected grade cricketer, and his elder brother Ian preceded him as Australian captain (the third Chappell brother, Trevor also went on to play for his country). The first short section of the book, describing Greg's childhood, has some fascinating insights into the development of all the brothers' characters, and as to why Greg became such a magnificent onside player (which mostly centred around avoiding knocking the fruit off the trees in their father's small orchard!).
The main part of the book is devoted to Chappell's playing days. This section of the book, while dealing with the "standard" fare of cricketing memoirs, has some fascinating sections to do with how Chappell approached the game mentally, and should be required reading for any up-and-coming young player. In particular, he discusses how careerism can destroy a batsman's natural aggression - after all, as Chappell states, a batsman is out there to score runs, not merely survive. He also goes into detail about his battles with the Australian Cricket Board and administration generally, his constant battles about scheduling and pay usually getting him nowhere. This of course led to the Packer revolution in World Series Cricket, which is generally described as the pinnacle of recent cricket in terms of quality and intensity. Chappell agrees with this conclusion.
Like his brother, Greg is not afraid to call a spade a spade, and the reader is left in no doubt about his feelings and thoughts on his fellow players. While Chappell is sympathetic to the position that Kim Hughes found himself in after the WSC players returned to the Test Cricket fold, he shows how Kim was his own worst enemy in what eventually became his downfall as captain and test player. He likewise has insights into other Australian players, such as Alan Border, Kerry O'Keeffe, and his great friends Rod Marsh and Dennis Lillee.
The later sections of the book deal with his time as an Australian selector, and as coach of the Indian cricket team. These sections focus on the difficulties inherent in managing players, teams, and indeed a system of cricket that enables continued success for a country. Chappell has some strong views on these issues, being unhappy at the current state of affairs that means the top-class players never "pass on" their skills and advice because they are unable, mainly due to scheduling, to play in the lower forms of the game.
If he has one regret (although he doesn't call it that), it is that his skills as a communicator have been lacking over the years, and consequently he perhaps didn't get the best out of the teams and players under his influence. His description of his time as coach of India reads as a story of players and coach working at cross-purposes.
There are many insights into cricket history (yes, he devotes a chapter to the underam incident), cricket psychology, and life in general in this book - as well as a healthy dose of good Doug Walters and Jeff Thomson stories.
As cricketing books go, this is a Greg Chappell effort - a cut above the rest. A must read.
Check out my other reviews at http://aviewoverthebell.blogspot.com.au/
What is clear from the book is that Chappell, from the earliest age, was totally captivated by the game of cricket. This is perhaps not so surprising, given that his grandfather Victor Richardson was himself a former Australian captain, his father was a well respected grade cricketer, and his elder brother Ian preceded him as Australian captain (the third Chappell brother, Trevor also went on to play for his country). The first short section of the book, describing Greg's childhood, has some fascinating insights into the development of all the brothers' characters, and as to why Greg became such a magnificent onside player (which mostly centred around avoiding knocking the fruit off the trees in their father's small orchard!).
The main part of the book is devoted to Chappell's playing days. This section of the book, while dealing with the "standard" fare of cricketing memoirs, has some fascinating sections to do with how Chappell approached the game mentally, and should be required reading for any up-and-coming young player. In particular, he discusses how careerism can destroy a batsman's natural aggression - after all, as Chappell states, a batsman is out there to score runs, not merely survive. He also goes into detail about his battles with the Australian Cricket Board and administration generally, his constant battles about scheduling and pay usually getting him nowhere. This of course led to the Packer revolution in World Series Cricket, which is generally described as the pinnacle of recent cricket in terms of quality and intensity. Chappell agrees with this conclusion.
Like his brother, Greg is not afraid to call a spade a spade, and the reader is left in no doubt about his feelings and thoughts on his fellow players. While Chappell is sympathetic to the position that Kim Hughes found himself in after the WSC players returned to the Test Cricket fold, he shows how Kim was his own worst enemy in what eventually became his downfall as captain and test player. He likewise has insights into other Australian players, such as Alan Border, Kerry O'Keeffe, and his great friends Rod Marsh and Dennis Lillee.
The later sections of the book deal with his time as an Australian selector, and as coach of the Indian cricket team. These sections focus on the difficulties inherent in managing players, teams, and indeed a system of cricket that enables continued success for a country. Chappell has some strong views on these issues, being unhappy at the current state of affairs that means the top-class players never "pass on" their skills and advice because they are unable, mainly due to scheduling, to play in the lower forms of the game.
If he has one regret (although he doesn't call it that), it is that his skills as a communicator have been lacking over the years, and consequently he perhaps didn't get the best out of the teams and players under his influence. His description of his time as coach of India reads as a story of players and coach working at cross-purposes.
There are many insights into cricket history (yes, he devotes a chapter to the underam incident), cricket psychology, and life in general in this book - as well as a healthy dose of good Doug Walters and Jeff Thomson stories.
As cricketing books go, this is a Greg Chappell effort - a cut above the rest. A must read.
Check out my other reviews at http://aviewoverthebell.blogspot.com.au/
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 24, 2015
As has previously been mentioned, the bibliographical details here need to be edited. Now about the book. Greg Chappell is universally acknowledged as one of the finest cricketers ever. Known primarily for his batting, Chappell was also a capable seam bowler and brilliant slip fielder. However, he is also known as the man who ordered his youngest brother to bowl the last ball of a one day final underarm to prevent New Zealand from potentially tying the match.
For the first time, Chappell recounts that incident, along with many others, from his perspective and in that forthright manner and wry humour he and his older brother Ian are known for. As someone who has been there and done it all, be it as player, coach or selector, Chappell also offers his views on how cricket has changed, for better or worse, and leaves some gems of advice for any young cricketers who might happen to read this book. I duly recommend it to anyone who is even remotely interested in cricket.
For the first time, Chappell recounts that incident, along with many others, from his perspective and in that forthright manner and wry humour he and his older brother Ian are known for. As someone who has been there and done it all, be it as player, coach or selector, Chappell also offers his views on how cricket has changed, for better or worse, and leaves some gems of advice for any young cricketers who might happen to read this book. I duly recommend it to anyone who is even remotely interested in cricket.
October 6, 2014
Loved the book but the bibliographic details are wrong. The main title of the book is called "Fierce Focus", not "Greg Chappell" with fierce focus as a subtitle. Also Greg Chappell is the main author, not Malcolm Knox.Tried creating a new (i.e. correct) edition but the ISBN already matches the incorrect title and main author information.
I will submit correct edit when I have time / become librarian.
I will submit correct edit when I have time / become librarian.
March 14, 2013
One of the best sport bio's I have read. Honest, to the point, funny anecdotes and he does not shirk any issue.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews